Monday Is Hope Day

Do you think everyone should be able to access free dental care?

I do.

It has always seemed ridiculous to me that if something goes wrong with any other part of your body you can get help through our public health system - but not teeth.

Well, this week’s Monday Is Hope Day story is about Action Station’s campaign to do something about the bad teeth situation and are calling on the Government to bring universal dental care into the public healthcare system to make it free for all.

For a start they are close to getting their target of 20,000 signature on their petition which you can sign here :

https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/make-dental-care-free-for-all-nz

But wait! There’s more!

Last Friday I spoke with Hana Pilkinton- Ching who is one of the campaign organisers and starting next Monday they are taking Dental Care For All on the road.

They will be heading all over the motu from August to October this year to hold dozens of Dental for All community events. From panel discussions, to market stalls, to free dental days and more. You can find the details on their website:

https://www.dentalforall.nz

Their first roadshow trip is in August, heading up the West Coast of the North Island from Te Whanganui a Tara and wrapping up with events in Kirkiriroa and Rotorua.

Check out the Dental for All Roadshow calendar (or Facebook events) for event details. It would be great if you could tell them if you’re planning to attend.

To keep in the loop about their second and third roadshow trips, make sure you’re signed up for updates — because more info coming soon!

People like Hana and organisations like Action Station remind me that despite the self centred policies coming out of the Beehive , there are lots of good people in our country doing good things to make life better for all of us - and in that, there is hope!

This interview has been made free to listen to thanks to the generosity of my paid subscribers who support my independent public journalism.

For $10 a month including GST ( less than a cup of coffee a week) you can not only gain full access to all my paywalled fourth estate articles and podcasts, but get to comment in a chatroom full of thoughtful Kiwis who care about our country and where it is going.

I post something everyday and all subscriptions go to meet production costs .