Oral health
The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) delivers quality oral health services provided by a multi-disciplinary dental team consisting of, dentists, oral health and dental therapists, dental students, dental assistants and administration staff.
Clinics provide general dental and emergency treatment across a range of locations throughout the TCHHS and operate under strict national infection control standards.
Oral Health Services - Torres Strait Islands & Northern Peninsula Area
The Oral health team provide both emergency and general courses of care. The deliver of oral health services to the outer islands will be a regular part of the service schedule with the aim to visit each of these locations every 12-18 months.
Treatment at a fee for service will be offered to non-eligible patients
Extended services posters
Eligibility
Adults, and their dependents, who are Queensland residents, and where applicable, currently in receipt of benefits from at least one of the following concession cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs
- Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink
- Health Care Card (this includes Low Income Health Care Card Holders who are automatically eligible for services)
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Queensland Seniors Card
Children who are Queensland residents and are:
- eligible for the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule; or
- two years of age or older and have not completed Year 12 of secondary school; or
- dependants of current concession card holders or hold a current concession card.
Non-eligible
Cape York Region
Weipa Integrated Health Clinic - there is a private practice, therefore non-eligible patients can access treatment on a fee for services basis.
At all other facilities in the Cape emergency treatment ONLY will be provided for non-eligible patients.
Torres Strait Islands and Northern Peninsula Area region
Thursday Island and Bamaga Clinics - non-eligible patients can access treatment on a fee for services basis.
Please note Student Dentists are not able to provide treatment for non-eligible patients.
* Emergency can be classified as having trauma including loss of function, swelling, uncontrolled haemorrhage, and supervening infection.
Clinic open days
Oral Health resources
- Adults oral health web page
- Babies, Infants & Children oral health web page
- Dental Treatment Adult - fact sheets
- Dental Treatment Child - fact sheets
- Emergencies and Accidents oral health web page
- Healthy Teeth for Life - brochure (PDF, 937 kB)
- Healthy Teeth for Life - fact sheets
- Pregnancy oral health web page
- Teenagers oral health web page
Frequently asked questions
Are we open for general treatment?
Yes. Please see Clinic Opening details for more information on booking appointments.
How long does it take to have dentures made?
The length of time to have dentures made can vary, as a general rule it can take 6-8 weeks to have these completed, as we outsource the prosthetics to a laboratory in Cairns, and approximately 3 visits to the dentist.
If I am not eligible for free dental, what is the cost of treatment?
Please contact your local dental clinic for further information on pricing and estimated costs.
What should I bring to my appointment?
All patients must bring the following ;
- Proof of eligibility- valid card or method of payment for non-eligible patients
- List of medications & medical history
- If you are on warfarin, please notify your local clinic before attending as tests may be required before treatment.
- If you have rheumatic fever please notify the dental clinic prior to your appointment as additional treatment may be required
Is dental covered under PTSS?
Yes, if the situation constitutes an emergency; dental abscess or trauma.
When and where are clinics open?
Clinics are available throughout the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service region, specific information for each clinic is outlined with Clinic opening details
