Timaru Community Dental Clinic
Dental care provided in Timaru
Contact us
To enrol your child, book an appointment, or update contact details:
phone 0800 846 983
Appointments are available Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 4:30pm, during the school term (open hours may vary for each clinic).
Where to find us
Timaru clinic: Level 1, 18 Woollcombe Street, Timaru
We have 14 community dental clinics throughout Canterbury, where we:
check and treat pre-schoolers' teeth, from age 2
treat school-aged children's teeth.
Our dental vans visit primary and intermediate schools to check children's teeth.
Services we provide
Dental care for pepei | 0-4 years
Since May 2017, all babies born in Canterbury and South Canterbury are enrolled at birth with the Community Dental Service, unless parent/caregiver declines.
All children should have their first dental check around 2 years of age.
For more information on how to care for your pepei’s teeth:
Caring for your babys teeth - KidsHealthexternal link
Dental care for tamariki | 5 years – Year 8
Most children at primary and intermediate school have their teeth checked in a dental van. Our dental vans visit most primary and intermediate schools in Canterbury and South Canterbury. Information about our visit will be in the school newsletter or on the school website closer to the visits.
At the end of Year 8 all teenagers are transferred from the Community Dental Service to a free dental provider.
Free dental providers are private dental practices that hold a contract with Health NZ to deliver free dental care to teenagers.
To check if your Year 8 has been transferred:
phone 03 383 9446
Dental care for rangatahi | Year 9 - 18th birthday
Free dental care is available for all eligible teenagers whether they are at school or not. For more information about free dental for teenagers, visit our website or contact our adolescent coordinator:
phone 03 383 9446 or 0800 825 583
Relief of pain
If your child is experiencing pain or discomfort, one of our triage clinicians will contact you to discuss the situation and provide advice. A relief of pain appointment may be offered if there is a need.
You can contact us on:
phone 0800 846 983
If you can send through a photo of the dental concern this can help with the assessment.