Free Basic Dental Care for
Secondary School Students (Aged 13-17)
At Huapai Dental, we believe every teen deserves a healthy, confident smile without financial barriers. That’s why we offer free basic dental care for all eligible secondary school students (Years 9-13 / ages 13-17), in line with the government’s funded adolescent dental programme.
What Does “Free Basic Dental Care” Include?
As part of the funded adolescent dental scheme in Auckland, eligible students can receive the following services at no cost through participating clinics like ours:
Annual dental check-ups and consultations
Teeth cleaning / scaling & polishing
Digital X-rays when clinically necessary
Fillings for decay to restore teeth
Extractions for non-orthodontic problematic teeth
Preventive treatments (fluoride applications, fissure sealants)
Advice & education on oral hygiene, diet, and habits to protect teeth and gums
What Is Not Covered
To keep expectations clear, here are services not included under the free basic scheme:
Alignment treatments
Cosmetic dentistry (whitening, veneers for aesthetic use)
Treatments related to accidents (which may be covered separately under ACC)
Routine major restorative work beyond what is considered “basic” (crowns, large prosthetics)
Who Is Eligible & How It Works
To qualify for the free adolescent dental care, you generally need to:
Be aged 13-17 (Years 9-13 in secondary school), and not yet turned 18
Be eligible to use the public health system in New Zealand (residency or citizenship status)
Attend or register with a participating dental provider (contracted under the District Health Board’s adolescent dental care programme)
How to get started:
Contact Huapai Dental and let us know you are eligible as a secondary school student seeking funded dental care.
We will check your eligibility and enrolment in the adolescent dental scheme.
Book your first free appointment — get a check-up, clean, and any needed treatments that fall under the free basic care.
Continue with yearly or regular recall visits, as recommended (often 6, 12 or 18 monthly depending on risk).
Benefits of Early & Regular Dental Care
Catching decay early prevents more severe problems (pain, infection, loss of teeth)
Maintaining good oral hygiene reduces long-term costs and improves overall health
Building healthy habits in teen years sets up for a lifetime of dental health
Our Clinic’s Commitment
At Huapai Dental, we are proud to be a participating provider of the adolescent dental care fund. Here’s how we support you:
Modern diagnostic tools: digital X-rays and intraoral cameras for accurate assessments
A caring team experienced with teens: comfortable treatments, explanations, and minimal stress
Convenient booking options and flexible scheduling to fit school hours
Book An Appointment Today!
Call, email or come visit us to book your next appointment with us.
