Recently, the offer of free dental treatment in the Whanganui/Ruapehu region attracted hundreds of people - and highlighted how difficult it is for people living in rural or remote communities to access care.
Volunteer dentists in the iwi-led, hauora Māori initiative saw nearly 400 people, and a dentist at an Ohakune clinic treated 100 people, extracted 125 teeth and filled 40 teeth.
And, for the first time in eight years, Great Barrier Island will have a visiting dentist, which means people who can't afford to fly to Auckland will now have the chance to seek treatment.
President of the New Zealand Dental Association Amanda Johnston joins Emile Donovan to reflect on the challenges of delivering rural dental health.
Photo: 123RF
