The three-chair clinic is part of a revamp of the school dental service in Otago and Southland.
Robyn Hammond, who has been working as a dental therapist since the late 1970s, said she was excited by the new facilities and the change to the service, which emphasises closer involvement of parents.
The new service also offers "four-handed" treatment, where each therapist has an assistant.
Ms Hammond said that was a "fabulous way to work" as staff could often feel isolated under earlier arrangements, where therapists often worked alone. The South Dunedin clinic will cater for more than 4200 children when it opens for business next year.
One of the visitors yesterday was a dental nurse who had qualified in the 1950s. She noted the equipment, which includes digital X-ray machines in each of the three surgery rooms, was very different from her day.
She recalled taking her treadle drill and other instruments with her and such events as having to set up and work from the Hawea School staff room.
She was concerned some parents might find it hard to accompany their children to the new service and hoped there would be support for them.
