We hope this finds all our school communities doing well as things continue to change around us all.
 
Many of you may be aware that there have been significant disruptions to the Community Oral Health Service in recent years. COVID19 has unsurprisingly had the biggest impact. Lockdowns resulted in all but ‘Relief of Pain’ services being available and there are ongoing limitations to service to manage the  COVID19 risks for the whanau/families and our staff in the confined, close-up clinic settings.
 
A number of other factors are having an increasing impact of the timeliness on Oral health Care for the  tamariki/children of Nelson/Marlborough.  Most recently staff illnesses have added to the impact of COVID19. In addition we are also experiencing an unprecedented shortage of Dental and Oral Health Therapists. We are working secure more therapists however this is challenging in a period of a national shortage of trained oral health professionals.
 
A number of strategies are in place to make the most of opportunities available to us to keep wait times for tamariki/children to a minimum. This includes changes to the mobile clinic calendar for site visits to rural areas, recommencement of some Saturday clinics and early discharge from the service.  More details below.
 
Mobile Clinics
The Wairau mobile has been off road for repairs and a COVID19 upgrade since late 2021 and unfortunately we still await parts for the repair. The Nelson area mobile continues to operate but at reduced capacity.
 
We’ve prioritised outlying areas for the mobile service where access to town clinics is the most difficult. All whanau/families will be contacted by the nearest hub and alternative clinic appointments will be offered. We’ll endeavour to work with whanau/families from outlying areas to find a time that coincides with trips to town centres.
 
Our usual annual calendar is now changing frequently so we will endeavour to remain in contact with schools as the plan evolves. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns in regard to the mobile service.
 
Early Discharge Year 7 & 8 children
A large number of private dentists have generously agreed to take over the care of Year 7 & 8 children instead of the usual transfer to private dentists at Year 9.
 
Our clinics will be in touch with families as appointments come due (or are overdue) to make arrangements for those who wish to take up this option. Please work with your Community Oral Health Hub in the first instance to get this arrangement underway.
 
Saturday Clinics
Some of our team have kindly offered their time on Saturdays as an option for appointments. This is a very limited service and will be offered where it is available.
 
Urgent Care
As is our normal practice if your child has urgent needs please be in touch with your nearest clinic to make arrangement for an urgent appointment or contact Nelson or Wairau hospitals for dental afterhours information.
 
 
Ngā mihi mahana
Kirsty Rance
Team Leader
 
Community Oral Health Service 
Nelson Marlborough Health
Ext: 8526    DD: 06 5393526   Mob: 027 246 0676
mailto:kirsty.rance@nmdhb.govt.nz.