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?

• Phone 1300 651 625 to register. You must have a current Medicare Card before proceeding, and adults need a current Health Care Card or Pension Card.

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.

Adult Oral Health Services

• The ADULT service offers general dental care, emergency relief of pain services, and assessment for dentures under the Pensioner Denture Scheme.
• The Priority Oral Health Program has been introduced to ensure that people with the greatest oral health need receive the earliest attention rather than treatment being given on a “first come, first serve basis”.
• The Priority Oral Health Program provides an equitable system that assists in assessing patients on the basis of medical and oral health needs as well as socio-economic and other risk factors. Patients reporting less urgent needs are prioritised following a standardised procedure and are registered into the Information System for Oral Health, to have their oral health condition assessed via an appointment with a dentist.

Location of Dental Clinics between Tweed Heads and Grafton