13 May 2025
Tēnā koe Gregory Soar
Official Information Act request
Thank you for your email of 30 April 2025, requesting information about dental
providers.
I have considered your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
Please find my decision on your request set out below.
The Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) has no policies, agreements or
legislation about dental providers charging a deposit to clients. Each dental
provider will likely have company policies. These are not for the Ministry to decide.
You can read more about the Ministry’s role in paying dental grants on the Work
and Income website, here:
•
www.workandincome.govt.nz/map/income-support/extra-help/special-
needs-grant/essential-dental-treatment.html
•
www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/health-and-disability/dental-
treatment.html
If you would like to make a complaint regarding a dental provider, I recommend
you contact the Health and Disability Commissioner:
https://www.hdc.org.nz/ If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email]. If you are not satisfied with my decision on your request, you have the right to
seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to
make a complaint is available a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
pp.
Anna Graham
General Manager
Ministerial and Executive Services
The Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, PO Box 1556, Wellington
– Telephone 04-916 3300 – Facsimile 04-918 0099
