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). The Scheme may be used by LHDs to provide dental care to patients. Public dental staff will determine whether a dental voucher is appropriate to provide to a patient. Patients cannot request a voucher from the dental clinic.
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.
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.
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.
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.).
You will be suspended from the Scheme and will not be permitted to provide services for NSW Health public dental patients.
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.
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.