Frequently asked questions for schools

Child and Adolescent Oral Health Services provide both general and emergency dental care. Specialist services such as Orthodontics (braces) are available, but there is restricted eligibility for specialist services, for example, available to concession-card holders only. For more information on the eligibility for specialist services, refer to the Oral Health Services Eligibility Guideline.

Publicly-funded oral health services are provided at no charge to eligible patients.

To be eligible children and young people must be:

• a Queensland resident, or attending a school in Queensland; and
• be eligible for Medicare; and

• aged four years or older and have not completed year 10

Children younger than four or who have completed Year 10 may still be eligible for free public oral health care if:

• they hold a current Centrelink Card, Healthcare or Pension Card; or
• their parents have a current Centrelink Card, Healthcare or Pension Card; or

they are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule

View more information about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule

The Tough Teeth Program is a multi-strategy oral health promotion program aimed at improving the oral health of primary school children in Metro North.  The application of Fluoride directly to teeth in the form of fluoride varnish is an effective and proven form of prevention.  All children whose parent/legal guardian consents for them to participate receive a dental screening (brief check-up), a fluoride varnish application and oral health education. Our dental screening prioritises eligible children who might need further dental care and they are referred to one of the Child and Adolescent Oral Health Services clinics for free dental treatment.   If children are not eligible for public sector oral health care, parents/legal guardians are advised of any dental treatment needs and advised to seek care from a private dental practitioner of their choice.

Smarter Smiles is a free Queensland Health program designed to engage high school students to better care for their oral health and provide them with a supportive community.

Students can benefit from free dental preventive services (dental screening and fluoride application) on-site at school and an oral health classroom lesson.  The school community has access to education including a free online continuing professional development course for teachers.   Contact smartersmiles@health.qld.gov.au to request the program for your school!

If a student has dental pain, direct their parent/legal guardian to  Metro North Oral Health Services call centre for assistance.

In Metro North, dental care is provided on-site at schools through a fixed dental clinic or a mobile dental clinic (also called dental vans). Oral health care may be provided to children and teenagers in a dental clinic away from school grounds or at the Oral Health Centre in Herston. You can find more information about where a student will be seen by contacting us on 1300 300 850.

Teachers do not need to attend appointments with their students. However, a parent or legal guardian is required to attend with their child for the initial check-up so that consent to care can be obtained, and that they can be involved with decisions about their child’s oral health care.   Oral Health staff will advise parents/legal guardians if they, or an agreed carer, is required to attend any future appointments with students.