Oral Health Services - NT provides services to children through the Children's Dental Service.
The Children's Dental Service provides free dental services to all children from infancy to the completion of primary school.
Services are provided at primary school-based clinics in urban areas and community dental clinics in Darwin, Palmerston, Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. Services in regional and remote areas are provided at community health centres or in mobile vans.
Older children in middle and senior school can access free services at the community dental clinics at Darwin, Palmerston, Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs and through community health centres in other areas.
A visiting examination service is provided at all school dental clinics. Children requiring treatment can access these services at selected hub clinics. You can choose an examination clinic and hub clinic that is convenient to your child's school, your home or workplace.
Eligibiity for Public Oral Health Services
Children's access to free public oral health services is restricted to defined client groups to maximise equity of access in accordance with NT Government policy and priorities.
Eligibility criteria are designed to maximise access for those most in need of care and for whom access to private services would be difficult. Government policy determines which client groups are provided access to free oral health services. Eligibility for public oral health services is broadly consistent across jurisdictions within Australia.
Orthodontic services are available however there are further clinical and age criteria that apply for clients seeking this service.
Residency Group | Emergency Services | General Services |
|---|---|---|
NT Resident > 6 months | ||
School aged children
| Yes | Yes |
Below school aged
| Yes | Yes |
Cleft lip/palate scheme members
| Yes | Yes |
NT Resident <6 months and Residents of other Australian states and territories | ||
School aged children
| Yes | No |
Below school aged
| Yes | No |
Non-Australian resident | ||
Tourist visas (676)
| No | No |
Dependants of holders of temporary/interim Medicare cards
| Yes | Yes |
457 visa (Employer/Visa holder responsible for healthcare costs)
| No | No |
Refugees (within 6 months of arrival)
| Yes | Yes |
Trauma/Torture victim
| Yes | Yes |
Overseas students (570-576)
| No | No |
Temporary residence (non-business) 405-423)
| No | No |
Employer sponsored (176/886 or 475/487)
| No | No |
For information about eligibility of other visas, please contact Manager Children Dental Services Telephone: (08) 8922 6460
Accessing the service
Enrolment forms for routine dental examination are provided to parents when your child is enrolled at a primary school. Enrolment forms are also available from dental clinics. This enrolment form gives permission for your child to have a dental examination only. You will be advised if any treatment is required. No treatment will be undertaken without the permission of a parent or guardian.
If your child is not attending school contact your nearest school clinic or community dental clinic to arrange an appointment.
Consent to treatment
Completing the Children's Dental Service enrolment form gives permission for your child to have a dental examination. A separate consent form is required before any treatment is done. You are encouraged to discuss the treatment with the oral health staff if you have any concerns.
The Staff
Services to children are generally provided by Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists. A Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists are oral health professional who are specially trained to provide oral health services to children. (Oral health therapists are also trained to provide some services to adults). In some cases your child may be referred to a Dentist or Specialist if more complex or specialised treatment or advice is needed. The Therapist works with a Dental Assistant, who provides chairside assistance, and helps run the clinic.
Attending Appointments
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend all dental appointments with their children. Just like visiting the doctor, a visit to the dentist service is an important event. Some children can be quite anxious so having a parent with them can be helpful. Being present during your child's appointment helps you to understand what treatment is required and how to keep your child's mouth and teeth healthy. In some circumstances, eg complicated or extensive treatment, we will not provide treatment unless a parent or carer is present.
Cancelling Appointments
Please let us know if your child cannot make it to a booked appointment. Giving us reasonable notice allows us to book another child into the appointment and to reschedule an appointment for your child.
Missed Appointments
If appointments are missed we will try and schedule a new appointment however due to demand this may mean your child has to wait longer for treatment. Due to high demand for service, repeatedly missing appointments without informing us in advance will result in a longer wait for future appointments.
