The teeth of New Zealanders are in good health in comparison to the previous generation, but still one-third of them require treatment, as found by 2009 Oral Health Survey.

The survey basically highlighted that as the dental treatment in New Zealand is quite expensive, so many people retain their decayed teeth till their old age. There are about 50% of Kiwis who cannot afford access to dentistry.

Suzanne Maihi who gets her dental treatment at Christchurch Hospital dental clinic, where specifically low-income patients are seen stated that even though she got the treatment at half the price bit still for the extraction of a tooth she had to pay $45.

Many people felt disappointed that why there was no funding for dental treatment for adults, as told by Canterbury District Health Board dentist Juliet Gray. But as per the Government, every year it doled out $24 million to provide monetary benefits to community adult dental care.

The survey analyzed the dental habits of about 5,000 people. Now, nearly 50% of the 12 years old children have no rotten teeth as compared to just 30% in the 1980s. Also, the adults have now three fillings on an average in comparison to 14 in the 1970s. Around 70% of those over 65 have their original teeth, while 72% of people had dentures a generation back.