From 1st April 2006, the Government is changing the arrangements for NHS dentistry in England and Wales.  It is also introducing a new system of charges that NHS patients pay for their treatment. Making Appointments 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 their NHS contract allows it.  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. You can choose which dentist you would like to see at the practice, but it may not always be possible to arrange this because the particular dentist may not have any NHS time available.    NHS dentists will, where necessary, provide treatment that is needed urgently. Urgent treatment means treatment that the dentist considers necessary to relieve severe pain or prevent your oral condition deteriorating before you can make a normal appointment.  Out of hours you should call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. NHS patient charges From 1st April, Government NHS patient charges are changing.  If you pay NHS charges, instead of paying a proportion of the cost of your treatment, you will pay one of four fixed charges relating to the type of care and treatment you have had.  The charge bands are given below.  If you have a check-up and two fillings, for example, you will pay one Band 2 charge of £44.60 (or £39.00 if you live in Wales).  If you need a crown as well, you will pay one Band 3 charge of £198.00 (or £117.00 if you live in Wales). If you need three crowns you will also pay one Band 3 charge of £189 (or £117.00 if you live in Wales). NHS dental care is still free to children under 18 or under 19 in full-time education as well as pregnant women and new mothers and people on certain state benefits. Your dental practice team will be happy to answer any questions you have about the new charges. Treatment Bands Name Examples of treatment Patient Charge Band 1: Diagnosis treatment planning and maintenance Clinical examination, x-rays, scaling and polishing, preventative dental work such as oral hygiene instruction £16.50 (Wales: £12.00) Band 2: Simple treatment Fillings, extractions, surgical procedures £45.60 (Wales: £39.00) Band 3: Provision of appliances Complex treatment which includes a laboratory element such as bridgework, crowns and dentures £198.00 (Wales: £177.00) Reminders and recalls At the end of your course of treatment, your dentist will discuss with you when you will need to see a dentist again.  NHS dentists will now follow guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on how often patients need to see their dentist, according to their oral health needs.  It is no longer the norm for NHS patients to have two NHS check-ups each year, if they do not need them.  The Department of Health wishes NHS resources to be allocated to those who need it most.  You can of course visit your dentist more often privately if you prefer to talk to your dentist more regularly about your oral health needs, have a regular visit to the hygienist and have the reassurance that all is well.  Private care NHS patients can opt to have part of their treatment privately. Private treatment gives you more time with your dentist as well as personal service, greater choice of materials and higher quality laboratory work for a better aesthetic result. There is also a greater range of treatment options available as cosmetic treatment is excluded from the  NHS.  Because the NHS charges are changing, some private treatment may even be cheaper. Click here to find out more about private dentistry  Cancellations If you are unable to keep your appointment, please let your dental practice know as soon as possible so that they can use the appointment for another patient on their waiting list. When your practice is closed If you need dental advice or care when the practice is closed please telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Further Information For more information on the changes in NHS dentistry, please see the NHS Direct website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk Finding a Dentist. Both the BDA and the NHS offer “Find a Dentist” websites. To find a NHS or private dentist in the UK please visit www.bda-findadentist.org.uk . To find a NHS dentist in England;  please visit http://www.nhs.uk/England/Dentists/Default.aspx  in Wales; http://www.wales.nhs.uk/directory.cfm  in Northern Ireland http://www.centralservicesagency.com/display/howtofindadentist   There is currently no service provided by the NHS for locating a dentist in Scotland. Frequently Asked Questions Click here to view our Dental FAQ's