Healthy Smile, Healthy Child
Early identification helps prevent or stop the progression of tooth decay
Dental Care For Your Child
Parents and caregivers can enrol their child by calling 0800 846 983 or emailing commdental@cdhb.health.nz
Your Well Child/Tamariki Ora Provider, Family Doctor or Public Health Nurse can also help with your child’s enrolment.
Basic dental care is free in New Zealand for children from birth until they turn 18. Enrol your child as early as possible and keep taking them for regular dental check-ups.
How to look after your child's teeth
Follow these 6 steps to protect your child's teeth, and help them look after their own teeth:
Brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Have regular dental check-ups.
Protect your child's teeth while playing sport.
Check for signs of tooth decay (holes) once a month.
Choose healthy snacks.
Drink water or milk.
Brushing teeth
Tamariki will be able to start brushing their own teeth around the age of 8. A parent or caregiver will need to help them until then.
Important things to know for young tamariki:
If your child is too young to brush their own teeth, it might be easier to stand behind them and gently tilt their head back as you brush.
Use a small, soft brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day. One brushing should be at night before they go to bed.
Use a half-pea size amount of toothpaste until about the age of 6 - your child should start using a pea-sized squirt of toothpaste from the age of 6.
You should brush your child's teeth - or they should brush themselves - for 2 minutes:
all around the inside surfaces, where the teeth meet the gums, and also the top chewing surfaces
on the front of the teeth, brushing in tiny circles all around the outside surfaces, close to the gums
twice a day, including at night before they go to bed
Teach your child to spit out the left-over toothpaste after brushing. Don't rinse with water, because a small amount of fluoride toothpaste left around the teeth will help to protect them.