The Green Party says it will make dental care free for everyone if they're elected to power in October's election.
Currently, dental care is free in New Zealand for under 18s who are eligible.
In a statement on Sunday, the party said it was time to make dental care free and to pay for it with a fairer tax system.
"Right now, oral health is a luxury few can afford. Every year millions of people put off going to the dentist because it is too damn expensive," Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said.
"The average cost of going to the dentist is around $350, so it’s hardly surprising that with food, rent, mortgage repayments, and power bills going up, so many people are choosing not to go.
"Let’s be clear: the current dental care system in Aotearoa is broken and cruel. This hasn't happened by accident, but is the consequence of political decisions successive governments have made to exclude dental care from the public health system. This has got to change.
"Under our plan, everyone in Aotearoa will be able to visit the dentist when they need to through a new community-based New Zealand Dental Service, which will also provide emergency and complex dental services through local hospitals or specialist sites."
The proposal will include free annual check-ups, free basic dental care, specialist care for people in pain or who require oral surgery and mobile dental vans.
According to a graph in the statement, New Zealand has one of the highest percentages of people skipping dental care due to cost. The statement also said over 1.5 million people over 18 in New Zealand can't afford dental care.
The Greens said the free care will be funded by their proposed wealth tax, which will target couples with more than $4 million, excluding mortgages and debt, and individuals worth more than $2 million.
"Free dental will be fully funded through fair and simple changes to the tax system that will unlock the resources we need. Every dollar will come from those most able to contribute," co-leader James Shaw said.
"Our fully costed plan will give everyone the peace of mind that no matter what, they can visit the dentist when they need to."
