Northern NSW Local Health District

Vision

Goals

The goals of the Northern NSW LHD Oral Health District are to:

• To improve oral health of the Northern NSW Oral Health District population.
• To reduce inequities for people in the Northern NSW Oral Health District accessing oral health services.
• To reduce disparities in the oral health status of people in the Northern NSW Oral Health District.
• To build a collaborative culture in the Northern NSW Oral Health District reflecting stated values of the North Coast.

Who can access the service?

• The NNSW LHD provides free dental care to all children/and young people up to 18 years of age,  as well as adults who are eligible Health Care Card or  Pensioner Concession  cardholders and permanently reside in the NNSW LHD.
• All people requesting oral health care must be assessed and registered through the Information System for Oral Health (ISOH), using a 1300 number to a central call centre. The Priority Oral Health Care Program ensures that people requiring care are seen in order of need as well as socio-economic and other risk factors.
• Clinics are located in Tweed Heads, East Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby, Pottsville, Goonellabah, Nimbin, Casino, Ballina, Maclean, Grafton and Yamba.

How do I access the service?

All people requesting oral health care must be assessed and registered by using the 1300 number to a central call centre. The Priority Oral Health Care Program ensures that people requiring care are seen in order of need as well as socio-economic and other risk factors.

To register call:  1300 651 625  Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

You must have a current Medicare Card before proceeding, and adults need a current Health Care Card or Pension Card.

For after-hours emergencies contact your local hospital emergency department.

Eligibility for public oral health services:

Children and young persons

In order for children and young persons to be eligible for non-admitted oral health care services they must:

• Normally reside within the boundary of the Local Health District providing the care, and;
• Be eligible for Medicare, and;
• Be less than 18 years of age

Adults​​

The following eligibility requirements are needed in order for adults to be receive non-admitted oral health care in the NSW public sector :

• Normally reside within the boundary of the Local Health District providing the care, and;

• Be eligible for Medicare, and;
• Be 18 years of age or older, and;
• Hold, or be listed as a dependent on, one of the following valid Australian Government concession cards:

• Health Care Card
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
  (Note that holders of the State Seniors Card are not eligible for care unless they also hold one of the other concession cards listed above.)

Child Oral Health Services

• The CHILD service provides routine dental examinations and general dental treatment to children 0-18 years of age.
• Child oral health services are provided primarily by dental therapists, and oral health therapists, with dentists providing services to adults. Clinics operate in a range of settings including Community Health Centres, Hospitals and Health Campuses.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)

All children under 18 and who are eligible for Medicare can access public dental services in NSW. Some children may also be eligible for the Commonwealth’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

What is the Child Den​tal Benefits Schedule?

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) gives eligible children and teenagers access to up to $1,000 in benefits for dental services over two calendar years.

Children and teenagers are eligible for the CDBS if they’re aged 2 to 17 years for any one day of the calendar year, are eligible for Medicare, and are part of a family that receives Family Tax Benefit Part A or the child receives an Australian Government payment from the list available through the Department of Human Services.

You don’t need to register your child for the CDBS. Families and teenagers will be advised by Medicare if they are eligible. You can check your child’s eligibility and CDBS balance through your Medicare online account at my.gov.au or by calling Medicare on 132 011.

If ineligible for the CDBS, your child will still be seen by the public dental service and it will not affect the care we provide your child.

What services a​re covered by the CDBS?

A range of services can be provided under the CDBS including:

• examinations
• x-rays
• cleaning
• fissure sealing
• fillings
• root canals and extractions.

Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work, and cannot be paid for any services provided during a stay in hospital (including day surgery).

How can my ch​ild access the CDBS?

Your child can access dental care under the CDBS through either a private dental provider or a NSW public dental service.

Using the CDBS when your child visits a NSW public dental service is easy and convenient.

• If your child is 2-17 years old, public dental service staff will ask you to sign a form allowing us to claim benefits from Medicare for the services we provide. Those benefits will be used to strengthen public dental services and treat more people in need of dental care.
• No out of pocket costs. Even if the $1,000 cap is reached, or your child needs treatment not covered by the CDBS, there will be no charge for these services
• Continuity of care. Because you don’t have to worry about additional costs if your child reaches the $1,000 cap, you can continue to visit the public dental service regardless of the type or amount of dental care your child requires.
• Quality of care. Regardless of whether your child is eligible for the CDBS, they will still receive the same high standard of care that all our patients receive. NSW public dental services have highly trained staff, including dentists, dental therapists and oral health therapists, who are experienced in providing dental care to children.

Dental Clinic Locations