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Addressing barriers to dental care: a Tūranga Health and Trinity Koha Dental initiative
Pauline Norris1, Elisabeth Moore2, Shirley Keown3
1Research Advisor, Tūranga Health, Gisborne, Aotearoa New Zealand; Research Professor, Va'a o Tautai - Centre for Pacific Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Aim:
There is a high level of unmet need for dental care in Aotearoa New Zealand due to the inability of people facing socio-economic disadvantage to afford optimal and timely care. This includes many Māori.
Method:
This paper describes a joint initiative between a philanthropic organisation, Trinity Koha Dental Clinic, and Tūranga Health, an iwi-based health provider based in Gisborne. The service was designed for those with high needs and involved provision of dental care at no cost to the patients (addressing affordability as a barrier). It was also designed to address other barriers to access.
Results:
Over 10 days in 2025, the dental service saw 178 people, performed 109 extractions and 99 restorations. A free optometry service was provided at the same time. Other services were linked to these: in total, attendees of the dental and/or optometry service received 763 vaccinations and 89 child car seats. Patients valued the free transport provided to and from the service, the childcare provided during treatment, the service being welcoming and friendly and being delivered by a local Māori provider, Tūranga Health.
Conclusion:
This initiative illustrated the range of barriers to dental care and the potential to link the provision of dental care with a range of other health services for people with high needs.
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