39394 (2024). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Health

39394 (2024). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Health: What are the Minister's priorities for oral health, if any?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: In addition to some subsidies to help adults access dental care, the Government funding for oral health care focuses largely on universal services for children and adolescents. The newly released Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Health 2024-2027 sets the Government priorities and objectives for the New Zealand health system. Access for families, whānau, and communities with high health needs is a priority including, working in partnership with local communities, including IMPBs to ensure primary and community health care services (including oral health services) are tailored to better respond to people’s needs. Growing the oral health workforce is another strong priority. I am advised that Health New Zealand is re-designing the community-based oral health services for 0–17-year-olds. The redesign aims to increase community-based oral health service delivery through an integrated approach to oral health prevention, promotion, and services for children and young people. The re-design is supported by new mobile dental clinics, with seven new mobile clinics currently being manufactured. Increasing capacity within the community and improving methods of delivery will reduce the demand on hospital dental services and the growing number of preventable hospital admissions for dental issues.