Community dental service — Canterbury and South Canterbury
The Community Dental Service provides free dental care for eligible children living in Canterbury and South Canterbury. We also help teens find a free family dentist.
On this page
Contact us
To enrol your child, book an appointment, or update contact details:
Appointments are available Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 4:30pm, during the school term (open hours may vary for each clinic).
Where to find us
We have 14 community dental clinics throughout Canterbury, where we:
- check and treat pre-schoolers' teeth, from age 2
- treat school-aged children's teeth.
Our dental vans visit primary and intermediate schools to check children's teeth.
Services we provide
Dental care for pepei | 0-4 years
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.
For more information on how to care for your pepei’s teeth:
Caring for your babys teeth - KidsHealthexternal link
Dental care for tamariki | 5 years – Year 8
Most children at primary and intermediate school have their teeth checked in a dental van. Our dental vans visit most primary and intermediate schools in Canterbury and South Canterbury. Information about our visit will be in the school newsletter or on the school website.
At the end of Year 8 all teenagers are transferred from the Community Dental Service to a free dental provider. Free dental providers are private dental practices that hold a contract with Health NZ to deliver free dental care to teenagers.
To check if your Year 8 has been transferred:
Dental care for rangatahi | Year 9 - 18th birthday
Free dental care is available for all eligible teenagers whether they are at school or not. For more information about free dental for teenagers, visit our website or contact our adolescent coordinator:
- Dental care for rangatahi (teens)
- phone 03 383 9446external link or 0800 825 583external link
- email freedentalcare@cdhb.health.nzexternal link
List of free dental providers
- Dentistry - Canterbury - Healthpointexternal link
- Dentistry - South Canterbury - Healthpointexternal link
Relief of pain
If your child is experiencing pain or discomfort, one of our triage clinicians will contact you to discuss the situation and provide advice. A relief of pain appointment may be offered if there is a need.
You can contact us on:
If you can send through a photo of the dental concern this can help with the assessment.
Interpreter services
The Waitaha Canterbury Interpreter Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in-person or via telephone, for people who are deaf or do not speak English as their first language.
The service is free to all clients who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare at Waitaha Canterbury. Please indicate when booking appointment if you would like an interpreter arranged.