The School Dental Service offers expert oral health care to eligible children at clinics throughout South Australia. This care is provided by teams of dentists, dental therapists, and dental assistants.
Eligibility and cost
All preschool, primary school and secondary school students, aged under 18 years, are eligible for oral health care with the School Dental Service.
All dental care is free for preschool clients.
Children who are dependants of/holders of the following concessions are eligible to receive free dental care:
- Centrelink Concession Card
- Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
- School Card
- Teen Dental Plan Voucher (see below)
For primary and secondary school children who are not dependants of/holders of the above concessions, a fee will apply for each course of general dental care provided.
Children over the age of 16 years of age who do not attend an educational institution and do not have a Health Care Card are not eligible to attend School Dental Clinics.
General Dental Care
Your child's general dental care may include:
- a dental check-up
- information on oral health and nutrition
- taking and interpreting x-rays
- cleaning teeth
- applying fluoride and fissure sealants to prevent tooth decay
- filling or extracting teeth when necessary
- referral to a dentist or dental specialist for further advice.
Prevention is vital for your child's oral health. Parents and carers are encourgaged to attend dental appointments, as sharing knowledge and information will assist clinic staff to provide the most effective dental care for your child. Teen Dental Vouchers
The Commonwealth Government, through Medicare, have been issuing teenagers with a Teen Dental Voucher.
To recieve a voucher, a teenager must be aged between 12 and 17 years and must receive Youth Allowance or Abstudy, or their family/carer receive Tax Benefit Part A.
The voucher can be redeemed at any School Dental Clinic or participating private dental practitioner. If presented at a School Dental Clinic, the voucher entitles the holder to a full course of general dental care including preventive care and treatments.
If presented at a private dental practitioner the voucher will cover the teenager for an examination and preventive care only. Enrolment
For information about enrolment, contact your local School Dental Clinic. Parents of children with special physical or intellectual needs should discuss individual treatment needs with staff.
If you have a dental concern during business hours, contact your local clinic. After hours, call healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 for advice on further care options.
To find the clinic closest to you, go to our Home Page and click on “Find a Clinic“ in the “Quick Find“ box.
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