The nationwide shortage of dental and oral health therapists continues to affect the Taranaki region. Te Whatu Ora ask for your support to help promote oral health vigilance to whānau as they continue to mitigate these issues and deliver the best healthcare possible in Taranaki.
Taranaki Community Oral Health team is working hard to see as many children across the region as possible in 2024. However, their ability to cover all clinics is still limited and therefore some children remain on waitlists for check-ups and treatment.
The team is concentrating on seeing the longest waiting children, along with the most urgent children who have pain and infections.
If whānau have dental queries or concerns about their tamariki, they're encouraged to contact their nearest clinic or phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583).
Te Whatu Ora Taranaki thank the community for being patient and ask for continued kindness toward their staff who are doing a wonderful job keeping the service operational.
Everyone can do their part to keep teeth healthy at home. Here are some handy tips for the whole whānau:
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