Northern NSW Local Health District

The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSW LHD) and Oral Health Services are committed to improving oral health and well-being in communities in the District.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.)

The Child Oral Health Service provides routine free dental examinations, emergency relief of pain services and general dental treatment to children 0-18 years of age.

To access the Northern NSW LHD Child Oral Health Service phone:
1300 651 625

You must have a current Medicare Card before proceeding.

Child Oral Health Services are provided primarily by dental therapists, and oral health therapists.

Additionally, families can access the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) which commenced on 1 January 2014. CDBS provides access to benefits for basic dental services to eligible children aged 2-17 years. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule provides up to $700 in benefits to the child for basic dental services. The CDBS is available at public and private dental services.

Services that receive a benefit under the program include:

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

The Department of Human Services assesses a child’s eligibility from the start of each calendar year. A child is eligible if they:

• have Medicare
• are aged 2-17 years at any point in the calendar year
• and receive a relevant Australian Government payment, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A at any point in the calendar year.

Eligibility for Child Oral Health Service:

• All children 0-18 years old are eligible to access NNSW LHD Oral Health Services.
• The entry criterion for children is to be a holder of a Medicare Card.
• There are geographical areas attached to each individual.

Service sites: There are nine public dental clinics across NNSW LHD. The clinics are located at;

• Ballina, Goonellabah
• Grafton, Yamba
• Casino, Nimbin
• Byron, Pottsville and Tweed Heads.
• Aboriginal Medical Services at Casino and Grafton also provide oral health services to eligible children.

Referral:

• self referral
• Direct referrals come from Community Health, Allied Health, local hospitals, external organisations such as drug and alcohol facilities, aged care facilities, Out of Home Care and homeless shelters.

Patients access Oral Health Services via a Call Centre 1300 651 625

There is no cost for NNSW LHD Oral Health Services to children and young people, who meet the above eligibility criteria.

Clients complete a questionnaire and allocated priority. They are then triaged via the Information System for Oral Health (ISOH). The priority depends on treatment needs, symptoms. Other risk factors include; medical conditions, disabilities, Aboriginality, under 5 years of age, homeless, refugee or residing in a hostel.

The School Health Service includes four-year-old Health Assessments and School Screening services. This service aims to provide early assessment and referral for early intervention. Children and families at risk of dental disease are a priority for this service.