I have bad toothache but can't afford a dentist. Can Work and Income help?
Yes, Work and Income may pay up to NZ$1,000 for urgent, essential dental treatment. You must be 16 or over, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and pass an income and assets check. You do not need to be on a benefit. Ask your dentist to fill in the Dental Treatment information form, then apply under 'One-off cost' in MyMSD. A decision can take up to 1 working day.
Official figures
- Standard prescription charge
- NZ$5 for each item. You pay for every item on a new prescription. You do not pay again for repeats on the same prescription.1
- No prescription charge
- Children aged 13 and under; Community Services Card (CSC) holders and the dependent children of CSC holders; people aged 65 and over; Prescription Subsidy Card (PSC) holders.1
- Prescriptions from specialists or non-funded prescribers
- NZ$15 if you are 18 or over, NZ$10 if you are 14 to 17. If you have a High Use Health Card or a CSC, the charge drops to NZ$5.1
- Prescriptions from a dentist
- Dentists are non-funded prescribers, so their prescriptions cost NZ$15, or NZ$10 if you are 14 to 17.5
- Prescription Subsidy Card
- Once you have paid for 20 prescription items since 1 February each year, you pay no more prescription charges until 31 January.1
Official sources
- PrescriptionsHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
- DentistsHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
- Dental care for rangatahi (teens)Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
- Dental treatmentWork and Income · workandincome.govt.nz
Read the full guide: Prescription costs and dental care →
People also ask
- How much does a prescription cost in New Zealand?
- Do children have to pay for prescription medicines?
- Is there a limit on how much I pay for prescriptions in a year?
- What is a Prescription Subsidy Card and how do I get one?
- Why did I pay NZ$15 for a prescription from a specialist?
- Is dental care free for children in NZ, and until what age?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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