Dental Service at Whakamaru

The referral-based service uses a trauma-informed, holistic model to ensure people receive dental care in a way that meets their needs.

The Whakamaru Dental Clinic offers free, trauma-informed dental care to eligible manuhiri.

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.

At our Whakamaru clinic, eligible manuhiri can receive dental care at no cost to them.

Delivered by qualified Ora Toa dentists, the service provides accessible dental care for people who face significant barriers to accessing traditional dental services. For information regarding eligibility and funding, read our FAQs below.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand, our clinic is now closed to new patients. 

FAQs & Referral Form

Due to high demand, our clinic is now closed to new patients.

We will continue to review on a monthy basis and will provide an update when reopening. We understand this may be disapointing and we hope to be back soon.

There are no changes to care for our current patients. 

There are significant unmet oral health needs across Aotearoa New Zealand, with our most vulnerable people likely to face barriers to access dental care and oral health support.
 
The Whakamaru Dental service seeks to address gaps left by existing systems and prioritises the needs of low-income and at-risk populations. The service builds on the holistic approach of Whakamaru by bringing essential dental care into a safe, supportive environment where people already feel connected and supported.
This dental service has been designed with people, not systems, at its centre. It provides free, trauma-informed dental care to eligible people in a safe and familiar environment, recognising that past experiences can make traditional healthcare settings difficult to access.
 
The dental service is part of the Mission’s integrated support network. By embedding dental care within the holistic suite of services at Whakamaru, we remove financial and emotional barriers, support trust and choice, and address oral health as a vital part of overall wellbeing.

The service runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from Whakamaru on Oxford Terrace.

The Wellington City Mission offers free dental care through funding from Te Whatu Ora, MSD, or ACC, depending on each individual’s situation.

Clients may be eligible for support through one of the following funding pathways:

  1. Te Whatu Ora: Covers adolescents in high school (from Year 9) who receive Oral Health Services to Adolescents (OHSA), up until their 18th birthday.
  2. MSD: Provides up to $1,000 for immediate and essential dental treatment within a 52-week period. This is available to people on a low income or receiving a benefit. Clients don’t need to be on a benefit to apply, but income and asset limits apply.
  3. ACC: Covers dental treatment needed as a result of an accident. An active ACC claim is required, which can be arranged during an initial consultation with our dental team.

Please feel free to contact our team via referrals@wcm.org.nz if you need any further information or assistance when referring your clients.

Our dental service is currently closed to new patients due to extremely high demand. We hope to be able to offer more space for bookings soon.

Due to high demand, as of August 13th 2026, our clinic is closed to new patients.

We will continue to review on a monthy basis and will provide an update when reopening. There are no changes to care for our current patients.

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