Dental Association Says Dental Grant Increase ‘first Step’ To Improve Dental Access

The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) says that the
increase in the MSD Dental Special Needs grants is the first
step to improving low-income adult dental access. From 1
December 2022, the annual limit for special needs grants for
dental treatment will increase from $300 to
$1,000.

“The $300 limit had not increased for a
quarter of a century. The Association is pleased that our
advocacy for increasing access to dental care for low-income
families has succeeded,” said NZDA President Dr Erin
Collins.

Another change is the removal of the
requirement for immediate and essential dental treatment to
have arisen from a dental emergency.

“For a
long-time NZDA has advocated that government needed to
address dental grants. A robust report commissioned by NZDA
urgently recommended it. The Finance Minister does deserve
some credit for finding the room in the Budget to make this
change. We also want to acknowledge the efforts of Minister
Carmel Sepuloni.

In the lead-up to the 2020 general
election the NZDA highlighted the need to improve access to
dental care for low-income and vulnerable New Zealanders
with a mobile dental clinic on Parliament’s forecourt. The
event launched Access To Oral Health Services For Low
Income Adults: Building on our policy position, a report
outlining workable solutions to low-income dental
access.

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