Free Teen Dental Care

Eligible young people can get free dental care every year from school Year 9 until the day before their 18th birthday, funded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. Capital Dental provides this care at our clinics across Wellington and the Hutt Valley.

Who it's for

Teens who are eligible for publicly funded health care, from the start of Year 9 until the day before they turn 18. It's free whether they're at school, on a course, working or have left school.

What's covered

Yearly check-upAn annual dental check-up with oral health advice.
X-raysX-rays when your dentist needs them.
CleaningA clean to keep teeth and gums healthy.
Fillings and extractionsRoutine treatment such as fillings and taking out teeth when needed.

Some treatments aren't covered, including orthodontics (braces). If your teen needs treatment that isn't covered, we'll explain it and the cost before anything is done.

How to enrol

At the end of Year 8, children move from the school dental service to a dentist for their teenage years. If your teen has chosen Capital Dental, or you're new to the area and want to enrol with us, call your nearest clinic and let us know you're booking free teen dental care.

Free care stops on the day they turn 18, so it's worth booking a final check-up and any treatment before then.

Book your teen's free check-up

Call your nearest Capital Dental clinic, or send us a request and we'll get back to you.

Find your nearest clinic Request an appointment