On 1 July, the Auckland City Mission, with support from Clare, is opening a much-anticipated new dental service in the Calder Health Centre in HomeGround.
Oral health is an integral part of general health and wellbeing. Poor oral health can – and does – result in constant pain, increased risk of chronic health conditions and avoidable hospital admissions. 1,856,000 (44.9%) of adults in New Zealand can’t afford dental care*, and it has long been out of reach for most people who use the City Mission’s services.
The new service will make dental treatment more accessible by providing low-cost, trauma-informed care in a safe and trusted environment. The service has been developed through extensive research and consultation with similar existing services and experts, to make sure the right model of care is provided.
“Poor oral health can impact sleep, social relationships, your ability to feel good about yourself. Your ability to follow a daily routine, to go to work, to even get a job. And there’s a whole stack of health problems that can be adversely affected by oral health including cardiovascular diseases.” – Hugh Trengrove, lead volunteer dentist, Calder.
Clare funding has been used in the the establishment of the service, including the purchase of essential equipment, while dentists are volunteering their time and expertise to care for patients.
*Unmet need for dental care due to cost, NZ Health Survey 2023/2024