A roadshow advocating publicly funded universal dental care is heading to Whanganui.
The Dental for All coalition was started in early 2022 by Action Station’s Max Harris and is now being run by dentists, unionists, and anti-poverty campaigners.
In 2023, a poll was released by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, revealing that more than 70% of New Zealanders supported the idea of free dental care for all ages. The findings underscored widespread public frustration at the high cost of dental treatment, which many believe has left thousands unable to afford even basic care.
The Whanganui panel event, scheduled for later this month, will bring together local health professionals, advocates, and residents to discuss how universal dental care could be implemented nationwide. Speakers will address the current state of dental health in New Zealand, where free or heavily subsidised treatment is available only to children under 18, leaving adults to pay out of pocket.
Dental for All organisers say the roadshow aims to highlight stories from communities most affected by high dental costs. “We’ve heard from people who have pulled their own teeth out because they couldn’t afford a dentist,” said Harris. “That’s unacceptable in a country that prides itself on fairness and good healthcare.”
The coalition argues that poor oral health is not just a dental issue but a public health crisis, as untreated conditions can lead to infections, heart disease, diabetes complications, and mental health challenges. They point out that Māori and Pasifika communities are disproportionately impacted due to systemic inequalities and financial barriers.
Local unions and advocacy groups have expressed strong support for the event, with some planning to attend in solidarity.
Organisers hope the Whanganui discussion will galvanise public pressure on the government to commit to a phased rollout of universal dental care, starting with those on low incomes.
“Dental care should be seen as a right, not a luxury,” said one local dental nurse who will be speaking on the panel. “We need to change the system so that everyone, regardless of income, can smile without pain or fear.”
