46103 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

46103 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter January to March 2024 to ‘Redesign community-based oral health services for children so they are responsive to Māori whānau and Pacific aiga to reduce the inequity of access and outcomes’ under section 2.2 ‘Kahu Taurima | Maternity and early years’ within Te Whatu Ora’s Te Pae Tata: Interim New Zealand Health Plan 2022?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised during the January to March 2024 quarter, Health New Zealand continued work to support strengthening community-based oral health services through: - developing services for new mobile dental clinics to expand methods of service delivery, including by Hauora Māori and Pacific-led oral health providers - continued delivery of the oral health promotion initiative that aims to reduce oral health inequities by delivering free toothbrushes and toothpaste. I am further advised that Health NZ is committed to the community-led design of oral health services for those aged up to 17-years-old to improve oral health and reduce inequities, in line with the priorities set out in the Government Policy Statement on Health.