This July, Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai will open a much-anticipated new dental service at its Calder Health Centre, providing free*, trauma-informed dental care for people who have long been unable to access the treatment they need.

For nearly half of all New Zealand adults, dental care is out of reach, with 44.9% reporting cost as a barrier to treatment**. For those already experiencing hardship, poor oral health can lead to constant pain, serious infections, and avoidable hospital admissions. But cost is only part of the problem. For many, the barriers are also systemic – rooted in trauma, marginalisation, and a healthcare system not designed to meet their needs.

The Mission’s new service is designed to address those barriers directly, offering compassionate, culturally-safe dental care in a trusted environment.

“Dental care is a fundamental part of a person’s health and wellbeing but for far too many people in Aotearoa, it’s a luxury they simply can’t afford,” says Manutaki – Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson.

“This service reflects our deep belief in health equity and our commitment to meeting people where they are, with care that upholds their dignity.”

The service will focus on both treatment and prevention, helping patients improve and maintain their oral health over the long term. Initially, care will be provided to existing clients of the Mission, including people accessing health, housing and addiction services. This phased approach ensures the service can respond safely and effectively to those with the most urgent and complex needs, while laying the foundation for broader access in future.

“Poor oral health can impact sleep, social relationships, and your ability to feel good about yourself – even your ability to work or apply for a job,” says Clinical Lead Dr Hugh Trengrove.

“This service is a tremendous opportunity to break that cycle, by delivering quality care to people who need it most.”

Dr Trengrove, an experienced Auckland-based dentist, has helped shape the service’s unique model of care and is volunteering his time to support its establishment and will continue to volunteer in his Clinical Lead role. He says patients at Calder can expect a compassionate, prevention-based approach, grounded in the Mission’s values of manaakitanga and atawhai.

The funding model for the service reflects a unique and innovative partnership. The clinic’s operating costs will be supported through the MSD Immediate and Essential Dental Care grant with the Mission assisting clients to access this funding — alongside additional hardship support where needed. This collaborative model ensures care remains accessible while working within the existing public system to meet unmet need.

For HomeGround tenant Anthony, the service is a lifeline. After decades of dental problems worsened by cerebral palsy, and a traumatic experience with treatment he couldn’t afford, he’s been living in pain – unable to eat properly and quoted thousands for the care he needs.

“At the Mission, I can finally begin to get help in a place I know and trust,” he says.

The new dental service has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Clare Foundation, whose funding enabled the establishment of the clinic. This foundational gift was strengthened by contributions from many others along the way – in the form of money, time, and expertise – which all helped to build momentum and bring the project to life. In addition, a team of dedicated volunteer dentists will deliver care, alongside the Mission’s permanent Dental Assistant and Calder Health Centre team.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Clare Foundation, and to the amazing clinicians generously volunteering their time to get the clinic up and running,” says Brendan Short, Director of Housing and Health Services.

“Our dental clinic is a significant step towards addressing oral health inequity and creating a more just healthcare system – one where every person, no matter their circumstances, can access the essential care they need to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. This is only the beginning.”

ENDS

* What does “free” dental care mean at the Mission?

At the Mission’s new dental clinic, treatment will be free at the point of care for patients. This is made possible through a partnership-based funding model: eligible clients are supported to access the MSD Immediate and Essential Dental Care grant, and additional hardship funding is available when needed. While the service isn’t universally free in the traditional sense, the aim is clear – to ensure that cost is not a barrier. By working alongside the public system and supporting clients through the process, the Mission is making essential dental care genuinely accessible to those who need it most.

**According to the 2023/2024 New Zealand Health Survey: https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/annual-update-of-key-results-202324-new-zealand-health-survey

The Mission is also a proud member of the Dental for All coalition, which is calling for the expansion of free dental care for all New Zealanders. Learn more at: www.dentalforall.nz.

For media enquiries, interviews or high-res images, please contact:

Ellen Lear
Communications Manager at Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai
0277001779 | [email protected]