Buller Health Trust

The Buller Health Trust is a charitable trust incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957. The strategic direction of the Trust is guided by the vision, values and strategic objectives set out in the Trust Deed.

Buller Health Trust aims to assist in preserving public health and well being in the Buller district.The Trustees comprise of the Mayor and Chief Executive of the Buller District Council.

Westport Dental Clinic

The Buller Health Trust is the owner and operator of the Westport Dental Clinic. It purchased the clinic from the previous owner (when no alternate purchaser could be found) in order to ensure dental service provision in Westport. The Trust undertook recruitment of a dentist and is currently actively seeking another dentist to assist with the practise.

The Westport Dental Clinic is situated at 141 Palmerston Street, Westport and provides a range of dental services to the Westport and Buller community such as:

• examinations and consultations
• fillings and restorative treatments
• extractions
• root canals
• inalys/crowns
• dentures

The clinic has a Combined Dental Agreement with the West Coast District Health Board. The agreement provides for;

• Special Dental Services for Children (SDSC) - this provides backup for the school dental service (all children up to the end of school year 8) by way of non-ACC related urgent dental treatment when clinics are closed (eg. school holidays) and treatment beyond the scope of a dental therapist. Historically, the volumes associated with SCSC are quite small, but the service is important. Payment is fee-for-service.
• Oral Health Services for Adolescents (OHSA) - routine dental care from year 9 until 18th birthday. Payment is by way of a partially capitated system. There is a capitated package which covers examination, preventative care and simple fillings, with the amount paid depending on the decile of the school the adolescent attends. Other dental treatment is remunerated on a fee-for-service basis. A claim is made for each adolescent at the completion of their 'episode'of dental treatment (an episode could consist of just one appointment for a checkup and x-rays or could include further appointments for more dental treatment).

For more details on the agreement, visit www.cdhb.govt.nz/dentalcare/.

Currently the clinic has one full time, permanent dentist, a full time receptionist, a full time dental assistant and two casual dental assistants. We are actively seeking another full time dentist. With the exception of the dentist (who joined in September 2006) we have long serving staff members with 10 years or more experience and excellent patient knowledge.

To contact the Westport Dental Clinic, phone or fax on 03 789 8901, or email us at westportdental@paradise.net.nz. Our office hours are 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.