The Labour Party is promising to extend free dental care to all those under 30 by 2026 if re-elected.
It would cover annual check-ups, teeth cleaning, basic fillings and extractions, with 18-to-23-year-olds priotised from July 2025, then to those under 30 the following year.
Leader Chris Hipkins says in its first 100 days a Labour government will also launch a campaign to recruit more dental workers from overseas.
New Zealand Dental Association president Amanda Johnston spoke to Corin Dann.
