Free Dental Care for Under 18s
Make an Appointment for Your Smile!
Good oral hygiene habits should be adapted at a young age to set your young ones up for a lifetime of healthy teeth. At Maxcare Dental we offer free basic oral health treatments for children and teenagers from 13 to 18 years old and emergency treatment during after school hours for children younger than 13 years old.
These dental services are funded by the Ministry of Health and all children and teenagers living in New Zealand (excluding international students) are eligible for this service.
Dental treatments included in this free service are:
Treatments that are excluded from this free service include orthodontic care and teeth whitening. In case of an accident, the treatment cost will be covered by ACC.
Frequently asked Questions about Under 18s
Is dental care free for under 18s in NZ, and who is eligible?
Yes, basic dental care is publicly funded until age 18 for eligible young people in New Zealand.
- At MaxCare Dental, we offer free basic oral health treatment for ages 13 to 18
- Children and teens living in NZ are eligible, excluding international students, and they do not need to be in school
Do you see under-18 patients in Auckland, and how do bookings work?
Yes, we see under-18 patients at our Ōtāhuhu and Massey clinics, and you can book online or call us.
- Call 09 600 2266 or book online and select your branch (Maxcare Dental)
- Please bring your child or teen’s NHI number
- For children under 13, a Dental School Nurse usually sees them first, unless it is an emergency, after-hours, or you have a referral
What dental services are covered for under 18s?
Our free under-18 service covers core care like cleaning, X-rays, fillings, extractions, and preventative treatments.
- Cleaning and polishing as part of the visit
- X-rays when needed
- Fillings and extractions
- Preventative care, such as fluoride or fissure sealants
- Orthodontics and teeth whitening are excluded
- We usually provide one free visit per year, but please call us for emergencies, such as a toothache
Do parents or guardians need to attend the appointment?
Yes, we usually need a parent or legal guardian to attend, or to give consent, because the patient is under 18.
- If you cannot attend, please call us first so we can confirm the consent process for your child’s age and treatment type.
Is wisdom teeth removal free under 18 in NZ, and what affects the cost?
Wisdom teeth removal can be free under 18 when it is a straightforward extraction within the funded service, but complex removals can sit outside basic care and may have costs.
- Funding covers basic dental services to age 18
- We confirm what applies after an exam and X-rays, because wisdom teeth vary from simple to impacted cases
How do I find an under-18 dentist near me in Auckland (Ōtāhuhu / West Auckland)?
If you are near Ōtāhuhu or West Auckland, you can book under-18 care with us at our Ōtāhuhu or Massey clinics.
- Ōtāhuhu: Unit 6, 225 Great South Road, Ōtāhuhu
- Massey: Unit 9, 3 Red Hills Road, Massey
What if we need dental care but can’t afford treatment not covered under under-18 care?
If something is not covered, we can help with a free WINZ quote, and we offer payment options so you can spread the cost.
- WINZ may help with urgent and essential dental work, depending on eligibility
- Options include Afterpay, Zip, Q Card, and other payment plans listed on our site
Our Dentists Are Dedicated and Compassionate
With over 35 years of Dental experience, it is no wonder our staff have built a reputation within the Otahuhu community and Auckland wide for Affordable and High-Quality dentistry.
You can have complete peace of mind knowing that our dentists will have a solution for whatever your dentistry needs, at an affordable price. We provide a full range of services including teeth Whitening, Braces, Crowns, Implants, Veneers, Dentures, Extractions, Fillings + many more.
Your Comfort Is Our Priority!
What People Are Saying
Contact Details
Phone: 09 600 2266
Email: [email protected]
Address: Unit 6, 217/225 Great South Rd,
Otahuhu, Auckland 1062
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 9am to 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am to 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am to 5pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 5pm |
| Saturday | 9am to 5pm |
| Sunday | 9am to 4pm |
MaxCare Dental
Email: [email protected]
Address: Unit 6, 217/225 Great South Rd,
Otahuhu, Auckland 1062




