Son’s tooth extraction a shock for family

When Laura Gray’s husband called from the dentist’s office to say their 8-year-old needed a tooth removed, it was a “huge shock”.

The Manurewa mum-of-two doesn’t allow fizzy drink in the house and — after growing up with bad teeth herself — had been making sure her boys brushed every day.

“It was very upsetting,” she said. “My husband was very nervous about it but I said we had to do it because he’ll be in pain.”

Tristan had the extraction done at the Browns Rd dental clinic under local anaesthetic and has been going back for regular check-ups since, alongside his brother Cody, 10.

The clinic was part of a trial in Manurewa, where the Auckland Regional Dental Service introduced weekly Saturday clinics after discovering many families found it hard to attend weekday appointments.

Gray was one of those, saying she struggled to take the boys out of school for appointments, but the weekend made it easy and convenient.

ARDS says to help more families, planning was now under way to extend Saturday clinic provision to clinics located in Otara, Puhinui, Mangere, Kingsland and Glen Innes.

The Government has also committed $2.5 million per annum over four years for an oral health promotion. The distribution of toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste to families is expected to commence next year.