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Modernised school dental service launches


February 11, 2016


Final stage of Wellington, Kapiti and Hutt Valley modernised school dental service launches

The final stage of a multimillion makeover of the school dental service in Wellington, Kapiti and Hutt Valley launches today.


Dr Virginia Hope who chairs both the Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs officially opened Selby House in Newtown today one of six fully refurbished, modern school dental clinics to open in 2016.

These final six clinics are part of a plan that has seen more than $12 million spent on upgrading and running school dental services since 2010 in this region. In total 13 clinics have been refurbished and 11 dental vans visit most schools that don’t have a clinic.

“Today’s launch has been the culmination of several years’ work to modernise the Bee Healthy Dental service which provides free school based dental services and make sure it is accessible and sustainable for many years to come.”

Dr Hope said this was another example of the two DHBs working together to provide the most efficient service and getting the best value for money for our communities.

“The six fully refurbished hubs have the latest in modern equipment, are child friendly and staffed by a talented team of dental nurses who provide an excellent service, free of charge to the community.

“Making sure children have good oral health is vital, no child can be expected to perform their best in school if their teeth hurt,” Dr Hope Said.

These six new dental that open during term one 2016 are located at: Petone Central School - Hutt Central School- Raumati Beach School– Paraparaumu School– Miramar Central School and Selby House in Newtown.

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Clinical Director of the CCDHB and HVDHB Oral Health Service (or The Bee Healthy Dental Service) Kathryn Fuge said throughout the country this new model of care with mobile vans visiting schools for yearly check-ups and centrally located hub clinics and means that most children will get their yearly dental check on site at their school and parents will have more involvement with all stages of their child’s oral health care.

“Any child that is seen in a dental van and who needs more extensive treatment such as fillings will be referred to one of the six dental hubs. Preschool children can also be seen for free at one of the dental hubs.”

The Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service provides free dental examinations and treatment for all children from birth until year 8 (around age 12), across the Wellington, Hutt Valley and Kapiti Coast regions.

The launch of the new hubs does mean some of the older clinics at schools will close. But schools that no longer have a dental clinic will be visited by the dental van.

“These changes will not result in a reduction in service rather they mean people will be able to access more modern and sustainable services.”

“We are really excited by these changes and we encourage every parent who is not sure if their child is enrolled in the service to get in touch,” Dr Fuge said.

The Bee Health Dental service is currently working to finalise the opening dates for the new clinics and in the meantime if parents have any concerns about their child’s teeth or a child has dental pain, an appointment can be arranged by calling 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583). Parents/caregiver can also call this number to update contact details.

ends

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