New Zealand’s First Charity Dental Clinic Opens in Christchurch
The new clinic, which cost around $2 million, is part of an extension to the city’s hospital. Patients who cannot afford regular dental care will be able to visit the clinic to get the treatment they need free of charge.
The clinic is being widely supported by local dentists and has already made a difference to Christchurch residents. Maree Carson, a patient, said that she would not have been able to have treatment for her tooth abscess without visiting the clinic due to cost, with root canal treatment costing around $600, she said it would have been impossible for her to afford the procedure.
The clinic is being staffed by local dentists, who have volunteered their time on a rota system. Currently, there are two sessions per week, which are divided by 25 dentists, but Dr Susan Gorrie is expecting the frequency of sessions to increase in line with demand for treatment.
Dr Gorrie said that initially patients who qualify for support through the WINZ (Work and Income New Zealand) system will be treated.
Dr Phil Bagshaw, from Canterbury Charity Hospital, said that he wishes there was enough money to build ten dental units, but added that he was very grateful to all those who had helped to get the new clinic up and running and to the dentists who have offered to treat patients as part of the rota system.
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