The dental health of New Zealand's most vulnerable citizens our children, who live in areas of high poverty is nothing to be proud of. Far too many children are not getting access to basic dental services and are ending up in hospital having treatments that could have been prevented.

A child in pain with tooth ache cannot eat properly, or concentrate at preschool or school. We probably all know what tooth ache feels like - and none of us would wish it on a small child.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities Mobile Dental Care Programme takes dental care to remote and rural communities. The service is run and managed by health professionals through our District Health Boards.

In August 2005 the Northland Unit became operational at Pakaraka School, near Kerikeri.

The service that delivers, efficient oral health services to children in rural Northland is about to achieve a significant milestone - a visit from its 1000th patient.

1000 may not sound like a huge number, but for 1000 children throughout the region it means the difference between a healthy toothy smile - and tooth decay.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities Mobile Dental Clinic, staffed by the dental team from North Health has spent the last 12 months in the mid North.  It is providing dental care to children from Opononi to Kerikeri as it makes its way across to Opua on the east coast.

The unit is part of Ronald McDonald House Charities Mobile Care programme, which has been developed to meet the urgent and ongoing need of children in communities where there is poor and limited access to proper dental care.

"Poor dental health in childhood leads to ongoing health problems as adults, as well as being painful and for many, embarrassing.  By taking dental care straight to children we truly believe we can stop this happening." says Sarah Hood, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities NZ.

"I have seen a marked improvement in the health of our children's teeth as a result of the clinic's visit.  It is a fantastic initiative and those behind the project should be applauded for their hard work." says Vee Singh, Principal of Pakaraka School where the dental unit began operating.

The unit will stay in the North visiting new schools, and returning to old ones regularly so that each child is followed up and new ones learn early the value of looking after their teeth.

The fully equipped, state-of-the-art mobile clinic provides dental care free of charge.

The service provides not only preventative care, diagnostic services, restorative services but also dental education to children and their families.


Our second mobile dental care unit is in the early stages of planning – watch this space for news of this exciting development