The Aboriginal Oral Health Program (AOHP) aims to improve the oral health of Aboriginal people by increasing oral health knowledge in the community and by improving access to dental services through:

• Increasing the number of Aboriginal children and teens visiting SA Dental clinics.
• Providing priority, free general and emergency dental care at SA Dental clinics for eligible Aboriginal adults.
• Developing partnerships with the Aboriginal community and services to increase oral health knowledge and to raise awareness of pathways to dental care.
• A range of Aboriginal specific oral health resources promoting key oral health messages.
• Supporting and attending community events to promote oral health.

In South Australia, Aboriginal children experience approximately 70% more tooth decay than non-Aboriginal children and they have more teeth with untreated decay.

Aboriginal children under 18 years can access dental care at SA Dental clinics and some specialist dental care. Specialist dental care is provided at the Adelaide Dental Hospital on referral and fees apply.

All babies, children and young people under 18 years who either live in or go to school in South Australia can attend one of our clinics.

There are no waiting lists, and you will receive the next available appointment.

There are no out of pocket costs if your child:

• Hasn't started school
• Is covered by:
  • the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (Medicare);
  • a Pensioner Concession Card;
  • a Health Care Card;
  • a School Card Scheme.

We recommend children have a dental check-up at around 12 months of age.

Eligible Aboriginal adults can access FREE priority general and emergency dental care at our clinics.

To be eligible clients need to be:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• the holder of a current Centrelink Concession Card.
• aged 18 years and older.

Pregnant women may be more at risk of dental problems such as gum disease, erosion and tooth decay.

To be eligible for one course of dental care per pregnancy, women need to:

• be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or pregnant with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child.
• be the holder of a current Centrelink concession card.
• Non-Aboriginal women pregnant with an Aboriginal child can access one free Course of Care per pregnancy at SA Dental clinics if they are the holder of a current concession card.
  

Aboriginal interstate clients are eligible for Emergency Dental Care only.

We provide services to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders living in Regional and Remote areas of South Australia.

We have clinics in the following regions

• Eyre & Western.
• Far North.
• Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island.
• Limestone Coast.
• Yorke & Mid North.

To find the closest clinic in your region, visit Find a Clinic.

In Regional and Remote areas without a SA Dental clinic nearby, government-funded schemes are available at participating private dental clinics.

For Aboriginal clients ineligible for dental care at SA Dental, please contact the following services for further information:

Nunkuwarrin Yunti

182 - 190 Wakefield Street, Adelaide

PO BOX 7202, Hutt Street

ADELAIDE SA 5000

We offer an Aboriginal Language Interpreting Service (ALIS) for clients at SA Dental.

Interpreting and Translating Centre (ITC) in conjunction with ALIS can provide a range of Aboriginal language services to clients.

The ALIS can provide interpreting services when you need help to fully understand Aboriginal speakers in a range of different settings. It is operating from within the Interpreting and Translating Centre (ITC) and can provide face to face and telephone interpreting in the following Aboriginal languages:

• Pitjantjatjara
• Yankunytjatjara
• Arrernte (Eastern)
• Arrernte (Western)
• Pintupi-Luritja
• Warlpiri
• Alyawarre

Booking requests can be made by:

To order Aboriginal Oral Health Program resources please complete the below order form and email a copy to Health.SADSAOHP@sa.gov.au

For more information about the program please contact the team