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About the scheme

In addition to services provided in public dental clinics, vouchers may be offered to eligible patients under the Oral Health Fee For Service Scheme (OHFFSS). Dental vouchers are issued in emergency cases or when the public dental service cannot provide the required treatment. The type of voucher issued is dependent on the dental needs of the patient and the resources available to the public dental service.

Information for patients

Patients may be given an OHFFSS voucher for specific treatment if public dental staff determine that a voucher is appropriate for the type of care needed.

If a voucher is issued, public dental service staff will either make you an appointment with the provider of your choice, or give you a list of providers to contact in your own time. If you lose your list, you can find a provider on the OHFFSS.

Patients who have been given an OHFFSS voucher can use it with any provider registered for the scheme up until the expiry date.

For more information about the scheme, please see the Oral Health Fee For Service Scheme Brochure.

Information for providers

Private dental practitioners need to apply to become OHFFSS providers.

As part of the application process, dental practitioners will need to provide evidence of having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 30 September 2021 and two doses by 30 November 2021.

All OHFFSS providers and businesses must comply with the Terms and Conditions outlined in the scheme's Policy Directive and Schedule of Fees:

Please note that encouraging patients to request vouchers directly from public dental services may be considered a breach of the Terms and Conditions.

Applying to become an OHFFSS provider

  1. Dental practitioners who wish to participate in the scheme first need to ensure that their business (dental practice) is registered on the OHFFSS.
  2. The business must then contact the OHFFSS Coordinator at each local health district they wish to do business with to begin the HealthShare vendor registration process. Contact details for the OHFFSS Coordinators can be found in the secure area of the OHFFSS.
  3. Individual practitioners can then be added through the business’s login on the OHFFSS website. Practitioners who work at more than one business need to be added separately within each business's login.

Note that each local health district reserves the right to add or remove the listing of individual practitioners within their jurisdiction. In addition, both provider and business profiles must be kept up to date to stay listed on the scheme.

OHFFSS support

  • Patients should contact their local public dental service if they have any enquiries about OHFFSS vouchers.
  • For voucher issues, businesses should contact the OHFFSS Coordinator for the local health district that issued the voucher. Contact details for the OHFFSS Coordinators can be found in the secure area of the OHFFSS.
  • For business enquiries about the OHFFSS website, Policy Directive or Schedule of Fees, please call 1800 938 133 or email us.

COVID-19 vaccination now mandatory for OHFFSS providers

The Public Health (COVID-19 Vaccination of Health Care Workers) Order 2021 came into effect on 26 August 2021. All health care workers in NSW are now required to have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

OHFFSS providers are considered health care workers under the Order and therefore need to provide NSW Health with evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status - at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 30 September 2021 and two doses by 30 November 2021. Current OHFFSS providers will be contacted by email with instructions.

OHFFSS providers who are not vaccinated by the deadline will be suspended from the Scheme (see Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.).

COVID-19 vaccination FAQ

What happens if I am not vaccinated by the deadline?

You will be suspended from the Scheme and will not be permitted to provide services for NSW Health public dental patients.

Do all of the staff at my place of practice need to be vaccinated?

NSW Health recommends that OHFFSS providers ensure all staff at their place of practice are vaccinated.

Dental practices should continue to observe physical distancing where possible, ensure hand washing facilities are available and ensure appropriate use of personal protective equipment. Please see the NSW Health COVID-19 Guidelines for Dental Services for more information.

What if I have a medical contraindication and cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

OHFFSS providers who have a medical contraindication need to provide a form completed by a medical practitioner to avoid suspension from the Scheme.

For more information about medical contraindications or to download a form, please visit the NSW Health COVID-19 vaccination page for clinicians.

Current as at: Thursday 30 September 2021