Free Dentists and Homeless-friendly doctors for people in Adelaide, South Australia Updated 30 September 2023
Free and cheap Dentists
Australian Dental Health Foundation Free ongoing dental work at a private dental clinic once you’re signed up if you’re the chosen one. After each day of free dentistry, the participating dentist chooses one person for further treatment. This patient will have taken care of their teeth already so the dentist knows further repairs will be valued. Young Ice addicts will teeth missing rarely get further treatment.
The process may take up to six months, but is worth it. They do fillings, cleaning, extractions, partial and complete plates, root canals, but not reconstruction or implants. They’re experienced dentists and nurses and not students.
Clients must have a Centrelink Card plus a referral from a case manager. Contact: 175 Ward Street, North Adelaide.Ph (08) 7226 1709or[email protected] .
Common Ground 73 Light Square, Adelaide. ph 8205 1600 University of Adelaide dental students perform basic dental work without charge. You need a referral from a homeless joint though sometimes self-referral will be accepted. The process is secretive, but they like patients who live outside or are unable to use the Dental Hospital or private clinics. Free.
South Australia Dental Service Cheap dentistry from students and qualified dentists. Waiting list of up to a year. Patients must have Centrelink, Immigration or Student Card. Forty government clinics across South Australia. Patients also sent to private dentists. First treatment $65 then up to a total of $166 for $1100 of treatment. After that no charge. Homeless people or those with inadequate income or drug addicts may get totally free dental vouchers from UnitingCare Wesley, Salvation Army or similar welfare joints. Phone 1300 008 222 for appointment.
Hutt Street Centre 258 Hutt Street, Adelaide. (near South Terrace). Ph 8418 2400. They can fast track you to a student dentist for pain and infection control. Free.
Adelaide Dental Hospital Frome Road, Adelaide ph 8222 8222 Emergency treatment from senior student dentists costs $65. Treatment from suburban government clinics may require a year on the waiting list. Avoid paying. Get it free with a voucher from UnitingCare Wesley, Salvation Army or similar welfare joints.
Nunkuwarrin Yunti 182-190 Wakefield Street, Adelaide. phone (08) 8406 1600 28 Brady Street, Elizabeth Downs. phone (08) 8254 5300 Their doctors will treat non-Aboriginal people, but their dentistry is for Aboriginals only due to government funding requirements.
Free homeless-friendly doctors
This is a weak list and needs more entries.
Nunkuwarrin Yunti 182-190 Wakefield Street, Adelaide. Ph (08) 8406 1600 28 Brady Street, Elizabeth Downs. Ph 8254 5300 Primarily an Aboriginal medical clinic, but they treat non-Aboriginals under sufferance. Make an appointment by phone. Don’t mention it if you’re a non-Aboriginal. The first visit is the most difficult, but they’re more accepting to non-Aboriginals from the homeless scene. They can fast-track patients to specialist care when urgent. Don't be bluffed if they say white folk aren't allowed. That’s racist.
If they like you, treatment is terrific.
Brian Burdekin Clinic 27 Selby Street, Adelaide (near WestCare and Whitmore Square). Ph 8231 4801 The doctors, nurses and receptionists understand the rigours of living outside. Patients must be chronically homeless. This rundown clinic is extremely busy and best medical practice for those living outside. They accept only the most desperate homeless patients. And they probably could use more staff.
Hutt Street Centre 258 Hutt St., Adelaide. Ph 8418 2400. Nurses and doctors occasionally on duty. Fast referrals to specialists. But you must sign up to their government database.
WestCare (Baptist Care) Millers Court (off 212 Wright Street), Adelaide. Ph 8118 5200. Nurses, doctors and other professionals frequently on duty.
Hutt Street Medical Centre 60 Hutt Street, Adelaide (also called Brae Houses). Phone: 08 82233918
Adelaide City G.P. Practice Level 2, 29 King William Street, Adelaide. Phone: 0884101322
Open Door Health Clinic 277 Pirie Street, Adelaide. Phone 1800 316 790. (Might have closed down.)
Urgent Mental Health Care Centre 215 Grenfell Street, Adelaide. Ph (08) 8448 9100. This snake pit is open 24 hours seven days a week. Free. Weird mental illness and crisis joint. After you give them your life story and allow them to copy your I.D., they might say they're not a treating clinic.
If nothing else they’ll give you food and a taxi to your homeless camp. Similar places in the suburbs.
Be careful how you speak and act as they might not let you leave and insist you spend a night in a hospital lock-up ward.