Poor children to benefit from free dental care
Poor children in parts of New Zealand will be given free preventative dental care, it has been announced.
John Gerretsen, Kingston and the Islands MPP, announced that a programme would be introduced to ensure children from poor families are entitled to free preventative dental treatments. Mr Gerretsen said he was aware that many families struggle to afford dental care and the new programme would help to promote good oral health and improve oral health amongst children from poorer backgrounds. Mr Gerretsen said he recognised the importance of good oral health and was worried that poorer people were becoming isolated as a result of rising dental costs.
The new programme will be introduced across the province and it is estimated that around 1,300 children will be eligible. To be eligible for free treatment, children must come from a family with a total income of less than 20,000 dollars per year; the programme is aiming to provide care for children without insurance and will be open to children under the age of 17.
Currently, some people who receive welfare payments are eligible for financial assistance with dental bills; however, this programme is set to target children from low income families; the scheme is designed to benefit those who work hard but have a low wage and do not have any additional benefits, such as health insurance.
The scheme will provide treatments, including cleaning treatments, dental X-rays, fillings and fluoride varnish treatments at a clinic on Portsmouth Avenue. The health board is also planning to send dental hygienists into more rural communities to cater for patients who cannot travel into the city.
Dr Ian Gemmill, the medical officer, said the new programme was aiming to catch people who were currently “falling through the cracks”. Dr Gemmill said the scheme would help to improve standards of oral health and reduce the need for complex treatments in the future.
Join this Discussion