The Dental Services Division of the Ministry of Health provides quality oral health care (with the emphasis on prevention) to ensure the maintenance of good oral health. Some dental services are provided free of charge, while others are provided on a fee-for-service basis.
What dental services are provided?
If you are 18 years of age or under, most preventive and restorative services are provided free of charge. These services include fillings, cleaning, fluoride treatment, and dental health education.
If you are over 18 years of age, emergency care is provided free of charge. Emergency care includes pain relief and tooth extractions. In special cases, free care can be provided to new mothers and the elderly.
Other services are provided to adults on a fee-for-service basis. These services include:
- General restorative and preventative dentistry services such as fillings, cleaning, fluoride treatment, and dental health education.
- X-rays.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures (surgery of the face and jaws).
- Orthodontics.
Where are dental services offered?
Dental services are provided between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday at specific health centres. Please follow the link at the end of this section for a list of health centres that offer dental services. Please contact the health centre that you wish to visit for information on when specific procedures are offered.
The Dental and Nursing Training School (also known as the Polyclinic and Paedo Clinics), located at the Arima Health Facility, also provides dental services as part of their training programme on a fee-for-service basis. Dental students work under the strict supervision of their instructors and perform the following procedures:
- Cleanings.
- Fillings.
- Periodontal treatment (treatment of gum disease).
- Prosthetic work (dentures, crowns, bridges).
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery.
For information on services offered and fees, please contact:
Dental Hospital
Building 43
Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex
Uriah Butler Highway
Champs Fleurs
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 645-2640 ext. 4004
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday except public holidays.
How do I access dental services?
You must make an appointment to see a dentist or dental nurse at a health clinic or at the Dental Hospital. Please contact the health clinic you wish to attend or the Dental Hospital to make an appointment. Emergency patients do not need to make an appointment as they are seen on a walk-in basis. Please note that in order to access specialty clinics such as oral surgery and orthodontics, you need a referral from a dentist.
What information do I need to provide?
When you visit a health clinic, you will be asked to fill out a form with your name, address, date of birth, periodontal medical history and, in the case of children, consent forms must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Where can I find more information?
For further information, please contact any health centre that offers dental services, or one of the addresses below.
Head Office
Dental Services Division
Arima Health Facility
Queen Mary Avenue
Arima
Trinidad, West Indies
Phone: (868) 667-5652
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday except public holidays.
Ministry of Health
Corner Park and Edward Streets
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Phone: (868) 627-0012
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday except public holidays.
There is also an oral health education programme in schools, churches, community groups and for the general public. This programme is offered by:
The Health Education Division
Ministry of Health
Henry Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Phone: (868) 625-4289
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday except public holidays.