Oral health is vital for health and wellbeing and it sets good lasting habits. Poor oral hygiene habits can impact cardiovascular health and can cause other health conditions, some lifelong. Learning and behaviour concerns at school can be influenced by tooth and gum problems as they may cause pain and difficulties while eating, sleeping, talking and may impact a child’s concentration and learning. Poor hygiene habits in children and young people may also lead to tooth decay, which may cause a student to feel self-conscious and making it harder for them to actively participate in the classroom and other social activities.

The Program provides free, basic dental care to students, including:

• a comprehensive examination
• dental x-rays (if required)
• dental clean (if required)
• fluoride varnish application (if required)
• fissure sealants (if required)

A review appointment may also be scheduled within 12 months for a check-up and a second application of fluoride varnish.

If a child needs follow-up dental care (e.g., fillings), public dental service staff will contact parents/carers to discuss options for treatment. This may include providing further treatment at a school-based mobile dental clinic or in a local dental clinic. Parent/carer consent is required for any further treatment.

Mobile dental clinics are scheduled approximately once per year, during the school year. Parental consent forms will be made available in the weeks before the dental team arrive at the school. Once a schedule has been finalised with the school, the mobile dental team will visit at the school's nominated time and provide dental care to students.

Yes. Parents/carers of children at participating schools will receive a Parent Information and Consent Pack. For a child to receive care, parents/carers will need to complete and return the consent forms to the school. Sample Parent Information and Consent Packs are available online to download in several languages on the NSW Health Website.

Parents/carers are asked to complete the official form in English.

No, parents/carers do not need to attend the appointment with their children. If you wish to attend the appointment, please tick the box on the Consent form and a dental team member from NSW Health will contact you to arrange a time.

All children under 18 years of age can access free dental care provided by NSW Health at public dental clinics. Some children may also be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). All children seen by NSW Health public dental services receive the same high-quality care regardless of their eligibility for the CDBS and no fees are charged, even if CDBS benefits have been fully used up. Parents/carers can book an appointment with their local public dental service on 1800 679 336.

Yes, all public-school primary students can access the NSW Health Primary School Mobile Dental Program if their school is participating, regardless of visa status or Medicare.

All NSW Health dental vans have the NSW Government logo featuring the red waratah. Private vans are not operated by NSW Health.

Yes. The program is available in participating Schools for Specific Purposes (SSPs).

If your child has a regular public or private dental practitioner, parents/carers may wish to continue their child’s care with that provider.