The Community Dental Service provides free dental care for eligible children living in Canterbury and South Canterbury. Children ARE eligible for free dental care if they are a:

• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• Or have a parent or primary caregiver on a 2 year work visa (consecutive)

If you need to check eligibility, please visit the Ministry of Health website.

Whānau new to Canterbury

If you are new to Canterbury and contact us to enrol your child, we will ask for your child’s National Health Index (NHI) number. If you don’t know your child’s NHI number, we will ask you for more information (date of birth, full name, etc) which will help us find their NHI number.

To check your child is eligible for free care, you may be asked to scan and email your child’s passport and your visa documents, or citizenship certificate, to commdental@cdhb.health.nz

Interpreter Services

Interpreter Services are available for people who are deaf or do not speak English as their first language. The service is available 24 hours a day, is free of charge, and has a large number of languages available.

The service will be able to help with enrolling your child or booking an appointment. An interpreter may be able to attend an appointment with you.

Baby

Since May 2017, all babies born in Canterbury and South Canterbury, are enrolled at birth with the Community Dental Service, unless parent/caregiver declines.

All children should have their first dental check around 2 years of age.

Pre-school and school aged children

Parents and caregivers can enrol their child by calling 0800 846 983 or emailing  commdental@cdhb.health.nz

Your Well Child/Tamariki Ora Provider, Family Doctor or Public Health Nurse can also help with your child’s enrolment.

Teenagers

To enrol a teen in free dental care, contact a free family dentist. If you need more information you can contact the Adolescent Oral Health Coordinator, 0800 825 583 or freedentalcare@cdhb.health.nz

Whānau new to Canterbury

If you are new to Canterbury and would like to enrol a child, we will ask for your child’s National Health Index (NHI) number. If you don’t know your child’s NHI number, we will ask you for more information (date of birth, full name, etc) which will help us find their NHI number.

If you are unsure if your child can have free dental care, check our eligibility page.

How to book

To book an appointment for a pre-school or school aged child, please call 0800 846 983 or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz. You can book an appointment Monday—Friday, 8:45am—3:30pm, during the school term. You can book an appointment at any Community Dental Clinics.

If you have more than one child needing an appointment, you may be able to book a family appointment. A family appointment means your children can get seen at the same appointment.

After an appointment is booked, we will send you a text reminder. You should get a text the day before your appointment. The text will confirm the time and location of your child's appointment. If you are unable to make the appointment, please let us know, as we can reschedule your child's appointment.

Interpreter Services

Interpreter Services are available for people who are deaf or do not speak English as their first language. The service is available 24 hours a day, is free of charge and has a large number of languages available. The service will be able to help with enrolling your child or booking an appointment. An interpreter may be able to attend an appointment with you.

Transport support

It’s not always easy getting to appointments. If you need a little help, please let us know as we may be able to put you in touch with a support service.

Relief  of Pain Appointments

If your child is in pain, we may be able to offer you a Relief of Pain appointment.  To book a Relief of Pain appointment please call 0800 846 983 or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz

Information for adults who have dental pain is on the Dental Department page.