Health care card Dental NSW

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.

Mullumbimby Dental Clinic

Mullumbimby & District War Memorial Hospital Dental Clinic, Road entrance to the hospital, Mullumbimby

Murwillumbah

East Murwillumbah Dental Clinic, Charles Street, Muwillumbah

Pottsville

Pottsville Dental Clinic, Elizabeth Street, Pottsville

Tweed Heads Dental Clinic

Tweed Community Health Dental Clinic, Florence Street, Tweed Heads

Casino & District Memorial Hospital Dental Clinic

Community Health Building, Hotham Street, Casino Base Hospital, Casino

Goonellabah Dental Clinic

37 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah (Situated in the Community Health complex – next to the Council Chambers – opposite Coles Supermarket)

Nimbin Dental Clinic

Nimbin Community Health Dental Clinic, Cullen Street, Nimbin (In the main street (Cullen Street) of Nimbin – clinic is in the old hospital building, opposite the Police Station)

Ballina Dental Clinic

Ballina Dental Education Unit, Corner of Fox and Moon Streets, Ballina

Grafton – Aruma Dental Clinic

175 Queen Street, Grafton

Maclean Dental Clinic

Maclean Community Health Dental Clinic is in the Community Health Department at Maclean Hospital, 21 Union Street, Maclean