The free trauma-informed dental service will support wellbeing for people doing life tough
The Wellington City Mission, in partnership with Ora Toa Pōneke, is launching a new free Dental Service at Whakamaru, its community hub in Wellington.
Oral health is a key component of overall wellbeing, yet for many people it is often overlooked or out of reach. The Whakamaru Dental Service has been created to meet this need, providing accessible, free trauma-informed dental care for people who face significant barriers to accessing traditional dental services.
The service will open on Tuesday 10 February 2026 and will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from Whakamaru on Oxford Terrace.
Designed with people at its centre, the Whakamaru Dental Service offers free dental care in a safe and familiar environment. By embedding dental care within the holistic suite of services already offered at Whakamaru, the service supports trust, choice, and dignity, recognising that past experiences can make traditional healthcare settings difficult to access.
There are significant unmet oral health needs across Aotearoa New Zealand, with people on low incomes and those experiencing hardship often facing the greatest barriers to care. The Whakamaru Dental Service seeks to address gaps left by existing systems by prioritising those most at risk and bringing essential, freely accessible dental care into a place where people already feel connected and supported.
The service will be delivered by qualified Ora Toa dentists, with appointments available by referral only. Referrals will be made through external social agencies across the Greater Wellington region, alongside internal referrals from within Wellington City Mission services.
Pip Rea, Community Services Director at Wellington City Mission, says the need for the service is substantial:
“Dental pain and poor oral health can have a profound impact on someone’s physical and mental wellbeing, yet access remains a major barrier for many. This Whakamaru dental service removes those barriers, offering compassionate, trauma-informed care to people who would otherwise go without.”
Guided by the Wellington City Mission’s vision and values, and informed by Te Whare Tapa Whā, the Whakamaru Dental Service recognises oral health as an essential part of overall wellbeing. The freely accessible service will sit alongside other support services at Whakamaru, including the Social Supermarket, Peer Support, and Community Support Workers, helping to address the wider social, emotional, and practical factors that impact health and wellbeing.
ENDS
For all media enquiries, contact joe@wcm.org.nz
About Whakamaru
Whakamaru is a 24/7 community facility that exists to provide stability, offer care, and restore dignity to those who are struggling. It brings together housing, food support, social connection, and community support services, all under one roof.
Through Whakamaru, the Wellington City Mission seeks to achieve empowerment, transformation, and fullness of life for everyone in our community.
