Conselhodoentes Nhs Prptocolos

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NHS dental treatment
How to find an NHS dentist

If you want NHS dental treatment, you first need to find out which dentists in
your area provide NHS treatment. Then you need to find one who is
accepting new patients.
You can do this by going to the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk and
clicking on Dentists or call NHS 111. If you can't find an NHS dentist who is
accepting new patients, NHS England will be able to tell you which dentist in
your area currently accepts patients.
You don't need to register with a dentist in order to get NHS treatment but
your dentist should keep a list of regular patients and provide ongoing
treatment and care.
Some dentists do have contracts to only treat children on the NHS. However,
they can't insist that they'll only treat your children on the NHS if you are taken
on as a private patient. Under certain circumstances, your dentist may
discontinue a course of treatment. This could happen, for example, if you
don't cooperate with treatment or if you fail to turn up for lots of appointments.
Where violence, or the threat of violence occurs, your dentist could
discontinue treatment straight away, without any advance warning.
What treatment can you get on the NHS

You’re entitled to any treatment which you need to maintain your dental
health. This could include the fitting of crowns, bridges and dentures. The
dentist will give you a treatment plan after your check-up if you ask for it,
which will show you what you need and the cost. There are three standard
charges for a course of NHS dental treatment, depending on the treatment
needed. These should be displayed in your dentist's waiting room. Some
things, such as denture repairs, are free.
More details about NHS dental fees are available on the NHS Choices
website at www.nhs.uk.
Your dentist may offer to do part of the work on your treatment plan or
additional treatment, privately. However, they should not pressure you into
having treatment privately which is available on the NHS. If your dentist tries
to do this, you should complain – see under Complaints.
Some treatment is not available on the NHS and can only be done privately,
for example, white fillings in back teeth.
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If you have been getting NHS treatment and need to start treatment for
something that has to be done privately, you should be given a form to sign to
say you agree to begin private treatment.
Who can get free NHS dental treatment

You can get free dental treatment (including check-ups) if you:
 are under 18
 are under 19 and in full-time education
 are pregnant
 have given birth in the last twelve months
 are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance,
income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee
credit part of Pension Credit
 Universal Credit.
Also, some people on a low income, including some people getting tax credits,
can get free NHS dental treatment or treatment at a reduced cost. More
details about help with dental costs can be found on the NHS Choices website
at www.nhs.uk.
Can you change your dentist?

You can go to a different dentist at any time. You should let your dentist know
and cancel any appointments. If you want to change dentists during a course
of treatment, you may have to pay the first dentist for the treatment to date. It
is always sensible to find a second dentist in advance who is prepared to
complete a course of treatment already started by another dentist.
Can your dentist charge you for not keeping or cancelling an

appointment?
A dentist is not entitled to charge you for cancelling an appointment.
However, if you fail to turn up or cancel lots of appointments, they may decide
not to treat you.
Emergency treatment
NHS England is responsible for commissioning out-of-hours emergency
dental treatment. You will usually have to phone an emergency helpline first.
If a decision is made that you need care or treatment out of hours, NHS
England will make arrangements for this. There is a set fee for urgent and out-
of-hours treatment.

Complaints about dentists
If you want to complain about your dentist, you should complain to your dental
practice first. You can do this either by speaking to someone at the practice,
or in writing. The dental practice must make a record of your complaint and
look into it.
If you are not satisfied after this, you can appeal or refer the problem to the
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
You might also want to get help from your local Healthwatch service who can
advise you about making a complaint. You can find details of your local
Healthwatch on their website at www.healthwatch.co.uk.
Further help
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Bureaux give free, confidential, impartial and independent
advice to help you solve problems. To find your nearest CAB, including those
that give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB, or look under C in your
phone book.
Other information on Adviceguide which might help
 NHS patients' rights  NHS dentist  NHS charges and

complaints optical voucher
values
 How to use an
ombudsman in
England
This fact sheet is produced by Citizens Advice, an operating name of The National
Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. It is intended to provide general information
only and should not be taken as a full statement of the law. The information applies to
England only.
This fact sheet was last updated on 7 July 2014. The content is checked regularly for
any changes. If it is some time since you obtained this fact sheet, please contact your
local Citizens Advice Bureau to check if it is still correct. Or visit our website -
www.adviceguide.org.uk - where you can download an up-to-date copy.


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Adviceguide Advice that makes a difference

NHS dental treatment

How to find an NHS dentist

What treatment can you get on the NHS

Copyright © 2002-2014 Citizens Advice. All rights reserved 1

Who can get free NHS dental treatment

Can you change your dentist?

Can your dentist charge you for not keeping or cancelling an

Copyright © 2002-2014 Citizens Advice. All rights reserved 2

Other information on Adviceguide which might help

 NHS patients' rights  NHS dentist  NHS charges and

Copyright © 2002-2014 Citizens Advice. All rights reserved 3

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