Thursday, 25 June 2020

To our Auckland whānau We would like to extend our gratitude for the support you showed our healthcare workers during the COVID-19 lockdown. During this period, there were national restrictions on services able to be offered to minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19. This included restrictions on routine dental treatments and checkups.

We kindly request your continual support as we commence our COVID-19 Recovery Plan. For the Children’s Community Dental Service (Auckland Regional Dental Service), this means we need to firstly offer our dental appointments to children of highest clinical need before routine check-ups can be offered.

We apologise in advance for the delays this will cause for children who are due a routine check-up. Please be assured that we will contact you as soon as we are able to offer your child an appointment with our service. If you would like to update your contact details and include an email address on your child’s file, please email ARDS@waitematadhb.govt.nz.

The WDHB will not be visiting the school as previously organised on 17 August to 4 September.

In the meantime, if your child is in pain or you have immediate concerns with their teeth, please phone your nearest Children’s Community Dental Service clinic or 0800 TALK TEETH. Our staff will be available to discuss your concerns with you directly, and will offer your child an appointment if required.

For more information as well as our top tips for keeping your child’s smile bright, please visit ARDS@waitematadhb.govt.nz.

Patsy Prior, Operations Manager – ARDS, Waitematā DHB and Dr Kirsten Miller, Clinical Director – ARDS, Waitematā DHB