A new dental service is being rolled out in Waihi and Te Aroha in an effort to improve dental hygiene amongst young people.

The Waikato DHB has unveiled a state-of-the-art mobile dental clinic featuring two surgeries, an instrument reprocessing room plus waiting room, and will treat about 2,800 children each year.

Community Oral Health manager Diane Pevreal outside the new dental unit. Photo: Waikato DHB

It will be operated by four staff and has plenty of bells and whistles like a digital x-ray and the latest of high-tech dental equipment.

A new addition includes television screens above the dental chairs to distract children while having their yearly teeth check.

Community Oral Health manager Diane Pevreal says their dental therapist team based in Waihi are very excited to start using the new unit at Waihi College in the coming week.

'The unit will replace an older one and patients, parents and staff will appreciate the technology upgrade which will enable a very high standard of dental care”.

The service provides regular dental care for about 64,000 children from 0-17 years of age living across the Waikato DHB area. The service has 15 mobiles units and 8 clinics.

Waikato DHB community oral health service is focused on preventing decay through education and advice about sugar and brushing tips and techniques.

Diane says the service was finding ways to tailor preventative care packages through the use of fluoride varnish and fissure sealants for children who are at-risk of dental decay.

The new mobile dental clinic was built by Hamilton-based company Action Manufacturing.

General manager Chris Devoy says he is pleased to have the opportunity to design and build this dental unit and is thrilled with the result.

One of the dental surgeries inside the new mobile dental unit. Photo: Waikato DHB