All children under 18 years of age can access free dental care provided by NSW Health at public dental clinics. For more information or to make an appointment for your child, please contact your local public dental service.
If your child missed out on an appointment with this program, you can contact your local public dental service to find out when the next visit is planned or to make an appointment for your child at a local public dental clinic.
You could also contact a private dental provider to make an appointment for your child, but please note that you or your private health insurance may need to cover some or all of the cost of care provided by private providers.
Yes. You are welcome to attend your child's appointment. If you have received a parent information and consent pack, you can tick the appropriate box on the form. The program coordinator will contact you to arrange a suitable time.
Your child's dental care will be provided by experienced NSW Health staff - registered dental practitioners (oral health therapists, dental therapists or dentists) and qualified and/or experienced dental assistants.
Signs that your child may need urgent dental care include:
If your think your child's symptoms are serious or if their situation deteriorates before you can access dental care, please call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest hospital Emergency Department.
During working hours you can also contact your local public dental service to arrange care.
Parents/carers of children participating in the program will receive a parent information and consent pack before a mobile dental clinic visit is scheduled. For a child to receive care, parents/carers will need to complete and return the consent forms.
At the first appointment, children may receive the following care (if clinically indicated and if parents/carers have consented):
For information on what these involve, visit oral health care explained.
A review appointment may be scheduled within 12 months for a check-up and a second application of fluoride varnish.
If a child needs further dental care, the dental practitioner will contact parents/carers to discuss options for treatment. This may involve providing treatment at the mobile dental clinic or at a local public dental clinic. Parent/carer consent is required for any further treatment.
A letter outlining what was done at your child's appointment will be provided. A copy of this information will also be kept on your child's NSW Health oral health record and can be made available at your request.
If your child needs further dental care, you will be contacted by a public dental service staff member to discuss options for treatment.
Information that you provide on the Consent Form or collected as part of your child's healthcare is subject to strict confidentiality and privacy protections contained in NSW and Commonwealth legislation (see the Privacy Statement).
If you have consented for your child to participate in the program but your child moves to another school, you should contact your local public dental service to update your child's details and discuss options for your child's dental care.
All NSW Health Mobile Dental Outreach Program staff are experienced in working with children. Every effort will be made to ensure that children participating in the program feel safe and confident about their dental care. If your child becomes upset, unwell or is otherwise unable to complete their care, a public dental service staff member will contact you to make alternative arrangements. You may be asked to attend a follow-up appointment with your child, either at the mobile clinic or at your local public dental clinic.
You can withdraw your consent at any time. If you no longer wish for your child to participate in the NSW Health Mobile Dental Outreach Program, or wish to withdraw financial consent for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, please contact your local public dental service to update your consent status.
Health interpreters and Aboriginal health workers are available to support children if needed. Parents should indicate on their child's consent form whether either of these are required. If your child already has an appointment, please contact your local public dental service to discuss your child's requirements.
There are no costs for parents/carers of children who receive care through public dental services in NSW, including this program.
If your child is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), you will be asked to sign a form allowing us to bulk-bill care provided to your child. Details about the use of CDBS benefits in this program have been included in the parent information and consent pack.
All children seen by public dental services receive the same high-quality care regardless of their eligibility for CDBS and no fees are charged, even if CDBS benefits have been fully used up.