It seems likely the Otago District Health Board will have to consult with the community again over plans for school dental clinics because its original plans have proved too expensive.
Last year boards throughout the country were asked to present business cases to the Ministry of Health outlining their preferred options for the future.
Nationally, the options proved more costly than the amount of money available to fund them, with priority being given to areas where oral health was worst and the condition of clinics poorest.
Otago's proposal involved replacing its 66 school dental clinics with nine fixed clinics and two mobile clinics.
Five of the fixed clinics would be in Dunedin, with one each in Oamaru, Alexandra, Wanaka and Balclutha.
Other areas would be served by mobile clinics.
A second cheaper option would involve upgrading some clinics and not introducing mobile clinics, but this would also involve special funding.
Chief executive Brian Rousseau told the board's monthly meeting last week the board would have to adjust its plans in the light of advice from the Ministry about the amount of money available.
Once the final shape of the revised plan was known it would "probably have to go back out again" to the community.
