Aboriginal Oral Health Program

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 pre-schoolers, children and teens visiting SA Dental Service.
  • Providing priority dental care at SA Dental clinics for eligible adults.
  • Partnerships with the Aboriginal community and Aboriginal health 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 community health events to promote oral health.

Dental Services for Aboriginal People in SA

Adults

Eligible Aboriginal adults can access priority general and emergency dental care at SA Dental Service clinics.

To be eligible clients need to:

  •  be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • hold a current Centrelink Concession Card
  • be aged 18 years and older.


  • Emergency and general dental care is FREE through the program.
  • There may be fees for some specialist services.
  • Any payment required will be discussed at time of treatment.

Pregnancy, families and early years

  • In SA, Aboriginal children experience approximately 70% more tooth decay than non-Aboriginal children and they have more teeth with untreated decay.
  • The health of a mother affects the development of a baby during pregnancy.
  • Pregnant women may be more susceptible to dental problems such as gum disease, erosion and tooth decay.
  • Babies are not born with tooth decay. Decay causing bacteria is passed onto children, most often through their carers.
  • Offering pregnant women and new parents tailored support can build healthy resilient children.

Pregnancy pathway

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.

Pregnant women 18 years and over will be treated at a SA Dental (Community) Clinic (women must hold a current Centrelink Concession Card). Women under the age of 18 will be treated at a SA Dental Clinic.

Children

Aboriginal children from birth up until 18 years can access dental care at SA Dental Clinics. 

All babies, children and young people under 18 years, are welcome to attend SA Dental.  There are no out of pocket costs for children:

A small fee applies each calendar year for dental care provided to other children.

SA Dental recommends a first dental visit from 12 to 18 months of age.  

Request an appointment for your child today.  

SA Dental locations

Visit our Dental clinics locations for more information.

Oral health resources

A range of Aboriginal Oral Heath Program resources are available to order, see the Aboriginal Oral Health Program resource request form.  You can also see a range of all SA Dental resources on the SA Dental Oral Health Resources page.  

If you are interested in ordering resources phone (08) 7117 0076 or e-mail: Health.SADSAOHP@sa.gov.au

Further information

For more information about the program please phone (08) 7717 0080 or email: Health.SADSAOHP@sa.gov.au

Visit our dental clinics locations to find your local dental clinic.