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How can I find an NHS dentist?
England
If you have access to the internet, you will find a search facility on the NHS Choices website at: www.nhs.uk. Click on ‘find NHS services’, then enter your postcode or location, select dentists and click ‘search’.
Otherwise, you can call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or contact your local primary care trust (PCT). You will find the number for your PCT in your phone book, at your library, or by calling NHS Direct.
Wales
To find your nearest NHS dentist visit www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk. Using the search facility on the website’s home page select ‘dentist’, enter your postcode and click ‘search’. Alternatively you can call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647.
Northern Ireland
If you have access to the internet, you will find a search facility at: www.healthandcareni.co.uk. Click on ‘local services’, select ‘dentist’ from the drop-down menu, enter your town or postcode and click ‘search’. Alternatively, you can call 028 9032 4431 and ask for the dental branch of the Central Services Agency or you can e-mail dental@csa.n-i.nhs.uk.
Scotland
Some health boards have their own dental helpline giving information on which local dentists are currently registering NHS patients. Details can be found on health board websites or by phoning the number in the phone book under health board.
A search facility is provided by NHS 24 and can be accessed at: www.nhs24.com. Click on NHS 24 Services and select ‘finding nearest GP/dentist’. Enter your postcode, select ‘dentist’ and click ‘submit’. Otherwise call 08454 24 24 24.
How do I find a private dentist?
The British Dental Association is unable to recommend individual dentists to the public. We suggest that you ask family or friends for recommendations and contact any dental practice that is recommended to you. The practice staff will be more than happy to help you and answer your questions.
What treatment can I get on the NHS?
Check-ups, x-rays, fillings, dentures and extractions are all available on the NHS, as well as many other treatments. Because most family dentists offer both NHS and private care, it's a good idea to check whether you are being treated as an NHS or a private patient before your course of treatment begins.
The cost of NHS dental care is set by the Government, not by the dentist, and so is the same across the country.
Some treatments, such as tooth whitening, are only available privately, but your dentist may well offer these treatments at the practice, so it is well worth asking.
Am I entitled to NHS dental treatment?
NHS dental care is available to everyone, but you will need to find a dentist who has the capacity to see you. You may be added to a waiting list. Some dentists only treat children and exempt patients.
The majority of NHS dental patients have to pay for their treatment, but you may be entitled to a reduction or even free treatment.
Am I still registered with my dentist?
The Government’s changes mean that patients will no longer be registered with their dentist, but this does not mean that you cannot continue to see your usual dentist. If you ask for an appointment, your dental practice will try to offer you one as soon as possible at a convenient time within the hours they have set aside for NHS patients. The NHS now asks dentists to provide a fixed, limited amount of NHS care each year and so they have to allocate their time and their NHS budget accordingly.
Can I get free dental treatment?
Most NHS patients will have to pay for their treatment, but some may be able to get a reduction or even get their treatment for free.
NHS dental treatment is free to:
- Children and young people under 18
- Those under 19 in full time education
- Expectant mothers
- Mothers with a baby aged up to 12 months
- Anyone receiving Income Support or Family Credit
- Families with a certificate for full help with the cost of NHS services
If you are on a low income you may be able to get treatment for free or at a reduced cost. Ask your dental practice for an HC1 form or pick up an HC11 form, Are You Entitled To Help with Health Costs?, from your local post office. It will tell you what you are entitled to.
Dental treatment is free to pregnant women and for the first year after your baby's born. All you need to do is take a MatB1 certificate or NHS prescription maternity exemption certificate to your dentist as proof. You can get these either from your GP or from a registered midwife via form FW8.
How much does NHS treatment cost?
England and Wales
On 1 April 2006, the Government introduced a new NHS dental charging system in England and Wales. If you receive NHS treatment, instead of paying a proportion of the cost of your treatment, you will now pay one of four fixed charges relating to the type of care and treatment you have received. Details about the treatment charging bands in England are set out below; charges for treatment in Wales are shown in brackets:
| Treatment Bands |
Examples of Treatment |
Patient Charge |
Band 1:
Diagnosis, treatment, planning and maintenance |
Clinical examination, x-rays, scaling and polishing, preventive dental work such as oral hygiene instruction |
£16.20
(£12.00) |
Band 2:
Simple treatment |
Fillings, extractions, surgical procedures |
£44.60
(£39.00) |
Band 3:
Provision of appliances |
Complex treatment which includes a laboratory element such as bridgework, crowns and dentures |
£198.00
(£177.00) |
| Urgent treatment |
Examination, x-rays, dressings, re-cementing crowns, up to two extractions and one filling |
£16.20
(£12.00) |
You pay the charge for the highest band into which your treatment falls. For example if you live in England and you have a check-up and two fillings, you will pay one Band 2 charge of £43.60. If you need a crown as well, you will pay one Band 3 charge of £194.00. If you need three crowns you will also pay one Band 3 charge of £194.00.
You can get free NHS dental treatment if when the treatment starts you are:
- aged under 18
- aged 18 in full-time education
- regnant, or have had a baby in the 12 months before treatment starts
- an NHS in-patient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
- an NHS hospital dental service out-patient*
- a community dental service patient.*
* There may be a charge for dentures/bridges.
when the treatment starts or when the charge is made:
- you are getting, or your partner gets:
- income support
- income-based jobseeker's allowance (incapacity benefit or disability living allowance do not count as they are not income-related)
- pension credit guarantee credit you are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
- you are named on a valid HC2 certificate.
If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate you might get some help towards the cost of your NHS dental treatment.
For further information regarding NHS patient charges contact the NHS health cost advice line on 0845 850 1166 (local rate) or visit www.dh.gov.uk/helpwithhealthcosts.
Northern Ireland
As of 1 April 2007, patients are required to pay 80% of the gross cost of the treatments up to a maximum of £384.
You can get free treatment if you are registered for Health Service treatment and you are:
- aged under 18
- 18 years of age and you are in full-time education
- pregnant or you have had a baby in the previous 12 months
- or your partner are in receipt of income support, or income-based jobseeker's allowance
- or your partner hold a current tax credit NHS exemption certificate from your entitlement to working families tax credit or disabled person's tax credit
- or your partner are in receipt of pension credit guarantee credit.
You may be exempt from paying all or part of your dental treatment costs if you or your partner hold a current HS charges certificate. You can apply for a HS charges certificate by completing a Form HC1 available from your doctor, dentist, optician or social security office. You should send it in to your local social security office on completion where your entitlement will be assessed. Further advice and explanation is on the HC1 Form.
Repairs to dentures, arrest of bleeding and emergency visits by your dentist to your home are free to all patients.
Scotland
Scotland uses the fee per item system of dental treatment. As of 1 April, 2007, patients are required to pay 80% of the gross cost of a single course of treatment up to a maximum of £384.
NHS dental treatment is free to patients who are:
- under 18
- aged 18 in full-time education
- if the patient or their partner receives income support
- if the patient or their partner receives pensions credit-guarantee credit
- if the patient or their partner receives income based job seekers allowance
- if the patient is entitled to or named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
- if the patient is named on an NHS low income scheme HC2 certificate
- if the patient is pregnant or has had a baby in the last 12 months.
If you are named on an NHS low income scheme HC3 certificate a charge may be applicable subject to the assessed contribution. If you are a war/MOD pensioner a refund for your NHS dental treatment may be applicable from the War Pensions Agency if the treatment is required for the pensionable disability.
Can I have any sort of treatment on the NHS?
Check ups, most fillings, x-rays and extractions are all available on the NHS, along with many other treatments. The sort of treatments that are unlikely to be covered are things like tooth whitening and some white fillings. You may, of course, decide to go for private rather than NHS care even for the more 'standard' treatments. Talk to your dentist about your options.
Can a dentist refuse to carry out NHS treatment?
A dentist has a fixed capacity for NHS treatment and although there are no longer registration lists a dentist may not have the capacity to see you. If this is the case you will need to contact your local PCT who can put you in contact with another dentist who may be able to see you on the NHS or go to www.nhs.uk where there is a searchable list of dental practices providing NHS care. Some dentists are only contracted to see children and/or patients exempt from dental charges. Dentists can also refuse to see patients who are threatening or abusive towards the dentist or practice staff
If you need to see a dentist urgently - for example, if you've had an accident and damaged your teeth - contact your dental practice or NHS Direct on 0845 4647. NHS Direct will be able to put you in touch with a dentist in your area who will be able to provide you with urgent care.
Can I see or copy my dental records?
You can see your dental records, but there are certain rules. A dentist must give you access within 40 days of the request. You are also entitled to copies of records, again, subject to certain rules and you may be charged a reasonable administration fee for copying records.
Can I take my records from my old dentist to my new dentist?
The 1998 Data Protection Act states that a dentist is obliged to provide a patient with their dental records if requested to do so by the patient. When a dentist leaves a practice or retires from the profession they are required to leave the patient records with the practice.
The 2001 Data Protection (Subject Access) (Fees and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2001, state that a dentist can charge a maximum of £50 to cover the administrative costs of reproducing dental records for a patient.
Will I be charged if I miss my dental appointment?
Some practices do charge if you miss your appointment. You can get round this by giving at least 24 hours' notice if you know you can't make your appointment.
Remember, if you miss an appointment without letting your practice know, you may be denying another patient a chance to see that dentist. Missed appointments cost dentists and the NHS millions of pounds every year, money that would otherwise be going into better health services.
How can I complain about my dental treatment?
As with any service, sometimes things will happen that you are unhappy with. Your dental practice will want to resolve this as quickly as possible, so it is important that you bring your concern to their attention as soon as you can.
The first, and easiest, thing to do is to speak to the dentist or the practice manager. It may be that a brief chat is all it takes to get the situation resolved. If not, your next step should be a letter to the dentist, outlining your complaint and, if possible, what you would like them to do to resolve it. You should give them a time limit to respond - two weeks is reasonable - and remember to keep a copy of all correspondence.
What happens next depends on whether your treatment was carried out privately or under the NHS.
Complaining about NHS treatment
If you live in England and are not happy with the response you get from your dental practice if you complain about your NHS dental care, you need to contact your local Primary Care Trust. They are responsible for NHS services in your area - you can get their address from your local Citizens' Advice Bureau. The Primary Care Trust (PCT) will then help you to resolve the dispute.
If you live in Scotland and are not happy with the response you get from your dental practice to your complaint about NHS dental care, you need to contact your Local Health Board
If you live in Wales and are not happy with the response you get from your dental practice to a complaint about NHS dental care, you need to contact your Local Health Board
If you live in Northern Ireland and are not happy with the response you get from your dental practice to your complaint about NHS dental care, you need to contact your Health and Social Services Board
If your complaint is serious, you may also want to contact the General Dental Council, which regulates dentistry in the UK and holds the Dentists' Register. They have the power to discipline the dentist and, in a small number of cases, strike them off the Register.
Complaining about private treatment
In our experience many patients find that their complaint can be resolved by discussing the issue with their dentist. In the event that your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction in this way, we suggest that you put your complaint in writing to the practice, allowing 14 days to respond and keeping a copy of everything you send.
If the practice either does not respond or offer a satisfactory explanation and you are an NHS patient and living in England or Wales, you should then contact your local primary care trust or local health board (contact details will be available from your local library or phonebook), sending them copies of all the correspondence.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome and you are a resident of Northern Ireland, you may write to the Complaints Officer at the relevant Health and Social Services Board (contact details will be available from your local library or phonebook). If you live in Scotland, you may write to your NHS Board (contact details will be available from your local library or phonebook).
If you have received treatment privately, please contact the Dental Complaints Service. This independent service, launched by the General Dental Council, resolves complaints about private dental care.
You can contact the DCS through the following details:
Telephone: 08456 120 540
Email: info@dentalcomplaints.org.uk
Write to:
The Dental Complaints Service
The Lansdowne Building
2 Lansdowne Road
Croydon
CR9 2ER
What is the difference between NHS and private dentistry?
Many family dentists offer both NHS and private treatment. Some treatments - like tooth whitening or dental implants, for example - are only available privately, The main difference between NHS and private care is in the materials used, like filling materials and types of denture.
Many dental practices either treat all of their patients privately or prioritise care to children and/or patients who are exempt from NHS charges. Some practices have only been given a very small NHS contract and so can only provide a limited number of NHS appointments. Private treatment can be provided on a pay as you go basis where patients pay for the treatment they receive or as part of a practice plan where patients pay a monthly fee for care.
How much is private dental treatment?
The British Dental Association does not produce a recommended scale of patient charges for private dental treatment.
Citizens' Advice provides information on consumer rights including private health treatment. Details of your local Citizens' Advice Bureau will be listed in your phone book or you can visit their public information website: www.adviceguide.org.uk.
What treatments are available privately?
The range of treatments available privately is much wider than those available on the NHS, and there is a massive overlap. All the treatments available on the NHS are also available privately - so you can get a private check-up or a private filling if you want one.
Is my treatment really necessary?
Whether you are considering NHS or private treatment, you should feel comfortable discussing your options with your dentist. They are there to help you and will be happy to explain. If the dentist offers you a choice between treatments, ask them what the difference is, and, most importantly, what the end result will be. Don't agree to a course of treatment until you are totally happy.
Is private dental treatment better than NHS treatment?
Not necessarily. Often the difference between NHS and private dental work is in the materials used, like filling materials or even which technician makes the dentures. You will probably find that the dentist spends more time with you if you are being treated privately. Ultimately, though, the choice is yours - whether you decide to opt for NHS or private care, you must feel comfortable with your dentist and with the treatment they recommend.
Is private dentistry expensive?
Not necessarily. Private treatment is likely to cost more than NHS treatment, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Often the difference in cost between NHS and private dental work is in the materials used - like filling materials or even which technician makes the dentures - and the amount of time the dentist can spend with you.
If you are worried about the cost of your treatment, or if you want to spread the cost, why not talk to your dentist about a dental plan? Many practices operate their own plans - where you pay a certain amount each month - or may be able to advise you of other options.
Why is one dentist offering treatment cheaper than another?
The price for treatment will often vary from dentist to dentist. This could be because one dentist has more experience in a certain field - like treating gum disease - or because they dedicate more time to each patient, or simply because their practice is in a different area. Because dentists operate like small businesses, they have to pay for all their own equipment, their staff and their premises, so if they work in an expensive area - like in the middle of a town - they may have to pass this cost on through their charges.
How can I pay for my dental treatment?
Most people pay for their dental treatment on an 'pay as you go' basis. This method of paying may suit you if you don't go to the dentist very often, or if your teeth are in good condition and you rarely have more than a check-up and a quick clean.
If you're beginning a course of treatment, though, or if you need to visit the dentist more regularly, then you might want to consider signing up to a payment plan. Sometimes these are run by the practice themselves or by an external company on behalf of the practice and just involve paying a certain amount each month. Other schemes are also available which are individual to you, so you can take the plan with you if you decide to change dental practice. Another popular scheme is the 'cash plan', where you pay a certain amount each month and then you get 'cash back' after treatment. These plans - like HSA - often cover more than dental treatment, so they're well worth looking into.
Are there dental specialists?
Just like doctors, some dentists concentrate on certain types of treatments or certain types of patient. Some may specialise in treating children, others may concentrate on treating gum disease. The General Dental Council - the body which regulates dentistry in the UK - holds thirteen 'specialist lists'. To be entered on these, dentists must prove particular expertise in their chosen area. The GDC recognises the following as specialisms:
- Oral surgery
- Surgical dentistry
- Endodontics
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Restorative dentistry
- Dental public health
- Orthodontics
- Paediatric dentistry
- Oral medicine
- Oral microbiology
- Oral pathology
- Dental and maxillofacial radiology
In order to practise in the UK, all dentists must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). The GDC may be able to help you further with locating a specialist.
You can contact the General Dental Council on:
Tel: 020 7887 3800
Minicom (via type talk): 18001 020 7887 3800
Fax: 020 7224 3294
Website: www.gdc-uk.org
Address: 37 Wimpole Street, London, W1M 8DQ
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to appear, right at the back of the mouth, usually when you're in your late teens. Most people have four wisdom teeth - two at the top, two at the bottom - but some people have fewer than this, or even none at all.
Because they're the last teeth to come through, there may not be room in your mouth for them. As a result, they can push the existing teeth forward, causing overcrowding in the mouth and possibly some discomfort.
Amalgam and general health
There are often stories in the newspapers about the safety of amalgam or silver fillings, linking them to health problems such as migraines and multiple sclerosis. There is very little evidence to support these stories and the Department of Health and its experts advise dentists and the public that amalgam fillings are perfectly safe.
A very small number of people may find that they are sensitive to the various component parts of the amalgam. For this reason, amalgam fillings will not be given to them and existing fillings may be removed. This is very rare, but if you are concerned, ask your doctor to carry out a mercury sensitivity test.
If you find ulcerated patches on the skin or mouth, you may be allergic or sensitive to the mercury in your amalgam fillings. In this case, visit your doctor who will test you for mercury allergy. If you test positive, your dentist may suggest that you have your fillings removed and replaced with a non-amalgam variety. This allergy is very rare, however.
If you have ulcers or sore patches in your mouth which take a long time to heal, visit your dentist as it may be an early sign of mouth cancer. To find out more about mouth cancer, click here
Pregnancy and dental care
Because some objects - like bacteria, for example - can cross the placenta, the Department of Health advises dentists that they should avoid putting in - or removing - amalgam fillings during pregnancy. This is purely as a precautionary measure - there is no evidence that a pregnant mother's fillings can affect her baby.
Are dental x-rays harmful to my unborn baby?
There is a very slight risk to your unborn child, which is why it's vital that you tell your dentist even if you only think you might be pregnant.
Why do treatment plans sometimes vary from one dentist to another?
As in many other areas, dentists may have different ways of getting to the same end point. This could mean that one dentist suggests one way of treating a problem, while a different dentist has another. When examining your teeth, a dentist goes through three steps. First they check whether there is anything wrong with the tooth. If there is, they decide whether it needs treatment, and finally, if it does, what treatment is necessary. After they've been through this process, they will talk you through your options.
Some dentists will choose to wait and see, especially if you visit the dentist regularly and they can check the progress of any potential problems. Others may decide to nip things in the bud and sort it out at the earliest opportunity. They will also ask you what you want to do.
Do dentists have to abide by a 'code of conduct'?
Most of the guidance regulating dentistry in the UK comes from the General Dental Council, the organisation that holds the Dentists Register. Guidelines on professional and personal conduct can be found in their Maintaining Standards guidance. To find out more about the GDC, click here.
The British Dental Association also offers advice to its members in terms of best practice, to ensure that standards are not only upheld but strengthened and made even higher.
How can I change my dentist?
Changing your dentist is relatively simple. All you need to do is find a dentist in your local area who is accepting new patients and register there. You can have copies of your records from your previous dentist forwarded to your new one. For more information on this, click here | 
