School dental clinics in the Whanganui region are likely to be upgraded, as the result of a review of services.
All of the clinics needed improvement in order to comply with current standards, a Whanganui District Health Board report said.
A review of school dental clinics began in June, and happened nationwide.
The final report is expected by the end of this month. Early recommendations were to close six clinics that were not well used, to upgrade the rest and to increase the use of caravans taking dental care to remote areas.
Three new caravans were needed, with one dedicated to kohanga reo and kura. A campaign to get water fluoridated and a central "mega-clinic" for after hours work were also recommended.
The aim of the review was to find out what state school dental services were in and to suggest ways of reducing inequalities in children's dental health. Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority chief executive Jennifer Tamehana said dental health was a major issue for the region's Maori community.
