Dentists

Your local NHS dentist is closer than you think!

You can find NHS Dental Services through NHS Choices, select the option for Dentists:  http://www.nhs.uk. Please note that the NHS Choices website includes details for non-NHS dentists as well as NHS dentists.

Please call our PCT Dental Helpline: 01865 337 267 or email dental@oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk  and we will be able to provide up-to-date information about which NHS Dental Services are in your area.

 

Urgent or out-of-hours dental care:

If you are registered with a dentist and require urgent dental treatment, please contact your own dentist.

NHS emergency dental clinics are available for patients who are not registered with a dentist or who require URGENT dental treatment out-of-hours. This service is available to all Oxfordshire residents (including temporary residents and visitors).

 

Emergency dental services:

The out-of-hours emergency dental care service is available between 6.30pm-9.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am-6.00pm at weekends. On bank holidays and bank holiday weekends the service is available 9am-5pm, then 6pm-9pm. This service is for people with urgent or emergency needs only and therefore does not provide routine care or repeat appointments.

Please call 0845 345 8995 during the times quoted above for more information.

 

In-hours urgent dental services:

To access NHS urgent dental treatment at all other times:

  • If you are registered with a dentist, contact them on their usual number
  • If you already have details of your local emergency dental service, call them as appropriate. If not, simply call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47
  • NHS Direct provides advice regarding dental issues and services.  It is available 24 hours a day.  Callers will be provided with either advice or offered appointments for emergency treatment.
  • Contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

 

Where is NHS dental care available?

NHS dental care is available across Oxfordshire providing services from more than 80 NHS dental practices in the area. See:

If you would like to find out which practices near you are offering NHS care, simply call the NHS Oxfordshire Dental helpline: 01865 337 267 or email dental@oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk

What service can I expect from my dentist?

Your dentist should always:

  • carry out a full examination of your mouth, teeth and gums
  • explain your treatment options and let you know what can be done on the NHS and what other work can be done privately if you wish make sure you know how much your treatment will cost
  • give you a treatment plan for any proposed course of treatment that falls into Band 2 or 3
  • give you a leaflet with information about the practice and its services
  • display a poster about NHS charges in the waiting room

If your dentist does not offer all of the above services and information, you have the right to ask for them.

Do I have to pay for my treatment?

Your dentist should always tell you how much you need to pay before starting your treatment.

You do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment if, when the treatment starts, you:

  • are aged under 18
  • are aged under 19 and in full-time education
  • are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months
  • are staying in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
  • are an NHS Hospital Dental Service outpatient (however, you may have to pay for your dentures or bridges)
  • are getting, or your partner is getting, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • have the right to, or your name is on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
  • have the right to full help under the NHS Low Income Scheme (i.e. you are named on a valid HC2 certificate)

How much does treatment cost?

The charge you pay depends on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, gums and teeth healthy. You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it - either Band 1, Band 2 or Band 3. If you have to be referred to another dentist for another, separate course of treatment, you can expect a second charge. Some minor treatments, including having stitches removed or repair to dentures (if they can be mended), are free.

Band 1: 17.50 GBP - This covers an examination, diagnosis (eg X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if needed, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. If you require urgent care, even if your urgent treatment needs more that one appointment to complete, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge.

Band 2: 48.00 GBP - This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth.

Band 3: 209.00 GBP - This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.

You do not have to pay to have your dentures repaired, for having stitches out, or if your dentist has to stop blood loss. Neither do you have to pay if your dentist only needs to write out a prescription. (But if you pay for your prescriptions, you will pay the usual charge when you collect your medicine from your pharmacist).

How can I claim free NHS dental treatment?

You will be asked to show your dentist written proof that you can claim free NHS treatment. You will also be asked to sign a form (to confirm that you do not have to pay).

If you have the right to partial help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, and your name is on a valid HC3 certificate, you may not have to pay for all your treatment.

You will need to fill in a form to claim for full or partial help with NHS dental costs. These forms are available from your Jobcentre Plus office or by calling 0845 850 1166.

If you pay for your treatment but later find out that it should have been free, you can claim a refund. You need to do this within three months of the date that you paid. To do this, you need form HC5, which is available from post offices, Jobcentre Plus offices and dental surgeries. It can also be downloaded from www.dh.gov.uk

What if I need urgent or out-of-hours dental care?

  • If you think you might need urgent treatment contact your dentist on their usual number
  • If you do not have a regular dentist, you can still always get urgent care - or be treated out of hours - if clinically necessary
  • If you already have details of your local emergency dental service, call them as appropriate.
  • If not, for out-of-hours treatment call, 0845 345 8995
  • For urgent treatment in-hours simply call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47
  • NHS Direct provides advice regarding dental issues and services.  It is available 24 hours a day.  Callers will be provided with either advice or offered appointments for emergency treatment.

Emergency Out of Hours Dental Care:

If you are registered with a dentist and require urgent dental treatment, please contact your own dentist. NHS emergency dental clinics are available for patients who are not registered with a dentist requiring URGENT dental treatment, please call: 0845 345 8995.

How often should I expect to see the dentist for a routine check-up?

Visiting your dentist regularly is important. However, how regularly you need to visit is dependent on how healthy your mouth, teeth and gums are at the time and your dental health will alter with changes in your general health and lifestyle.

If you have any problems with your teeth or mouth between planned check-ups, you should consult with your dentist and arrange an earlier appointment as appropriate.

So, can I still get an NHS dentist?

There are NHS dental practices across Oxfordshire offering NHS dental care. These practices are located across the area and are accessible to all types of patients.

If you would like further information on each practice you can visit www.nhs.uk or call 01865 337 267.

Your Questions Answered

What are the new charges?

If you normally pay for NHS dental treatment, there are three standard charges.

The amount you pay will depend on the treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

You pay one charge even if you need to visit more than once to complete a course of treatment.

You pay one of the following three charges:

17.50 GBP - This covers an examination, diagnosis (eg X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if needed, and application of fluroride varnish or fissure sealant. If you require urgent care, even if your urgent treatment needs more than one appointment to complete, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge..

Urgent and out-of-hours care also costs 17.00 GBP.

OR

48.00 GBP - This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the 17.00 charge PLUS any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth.

OR

209.00 GBP -This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the 17.00 and 47.00 charges PLUS crowns, dentures and bridges.

If you need more treatment at the same charge level (e.g an additional filling) within two months of seeing your dentist, this will be free of charge

There is no charge for writing a prescription or for removing stitches. Usual charges apply when getting the prescription dispensed.

Dentures

Repairs to dentures remains free of charge. If you lose or accidentally damage your dentures beyond repair it will cost 56.70 to replace them.

Who is exempt from paying for NHS dental services?

You will receive free services from your NHS dentist if:

when the treatment starts you are:

  • aged under 18
  • aged 18 in full-time education
  • pregnant, 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*

when the treatment starts or when the charge is made you are:

  • getting, or your partner gets, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
  • named on a valid HC2 certificate.

Your dentist will ask for evidence that you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate you may be eligible for partial help with dental costs.

Use form HC1 to claim for full (HC2) or partial (HC3) help with NHS dental costs. HC1 forms are available from your Jobcentre Plus office or by calling 0845 8501166 or 08701 555 455.

There may be a charge for dentures and bridges.

How will I know how much my treatment will cost?

Your dentist must display a poster with information about NHS charges in the waiting room.

If you are being treated under the NHS you will pay either 17.00, 47.00 or 204.00 GBP depending on the treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Your dentist should make sure you know how much your course of treatment will cost.

If you are receiving a mixture of NHS and private care your dentist should give you a written treatment plan which will tell you how much you need to pay.

If your dentist agrees to provide oral health promotion sessions as part of his/her contract with your PCT, these will be free of charge.

The dental practice may ask you to pay before beginning your treatment.

Will I pay more than I did under the previous system?

The new charges replace the old system of charging for every item of treatment. Instead the costs for a course of treatment have been grouped into three charge bands.

The charge bands have been calculated so that, overall, the total contribution made by patient charges to the NHS remains the same. You will pay one charge even if you need to attend more than once to complete a course of treatment.

The amount you pay will depend on the treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy so it isn't possible to compare costs for all individuals.

In some cases a single course of treatment may cost more than it did before. However we expect that, because of new ways of working which includes less frequent appointments for people with good oral health, many people will pay less overall.

What does the urgent and out-of-hours (17.50 GBP) treatment charge include?

Urgent and out-of-hours treatment will include treatment necessary for the relief of pain (see schedule 4 of regulations and charging information supplied separately). Your PCT is responsible for urgent and out-of-hours care in your area. Unless your condition is serious, your local out-of-hours & urgent dental service may advise you to take pain relief and book an appointment during normal clinic hours.

My dentist has referred me to a specialist for further treatment. Will I have to pay twice? Who should I pay?

If you are referred to another dentist, you will pay one charge. For NHS dentistry this will be either 17.50, 48.00 or 209.00 GBP. You will pay the full amount to the dentist who refers you.

If you are referred and accept a private alternative you would pay the appropriate NHS band charge to the first (referring) dentist and pay the fee for the private work to the dentist you are referred to.

How do I find an NHS dentist?

Visit the NHS Choices website at http://www.nhs.uk and select the option for dentists.

You can call our PCT Dental Helpline: 01865 337267 and we will be able to provide up-to-date information about which NHS Dental Services are in your area.

You can also telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for information, or text "dentist" to "64746" or "NHSGO" from your mobile phone from the area where you need a dentist.

If you are having difficulty finding an NHS dentist because of a shortage in your area, please be assured your PCT is working hard to recruit new NHS dentists to ensure you have access to dental services as soon as possible.

NHS dental care is always available if you are in discomfort, whether you have a regular dentist or not. Your PCT is responsible for urgent and out-of-hours care in your area.

How can I find out about urgent and out-of-hours care in my area?

From 1 April 2006 PCTs are responsible for urgent and out-of-hours care in their areas.

See Local Services: Out Of Hours for details on how to contact emergency dentists.

How do I know that my treatment is being provided on the NHS?

If you are not on a patient list and want to receive dental treatment as an NHS patient, you should contact NHS Direct or your PCT to find out what NHS dental services are available in your area.

If you have a regular dentist, they should explain your treatment options and let you know what can be provided in the NHS or privately.

All practices providing NHS services were required to update their practice information leaflet by August 2006. This leaflet includes information on the NHS services available at the practice.

Is my dentist still be able to provide some private care?

Your dentist may still provide a mixture of NHS and private care. NHS dentists will have a contract with the PCT to provide an agreed amount of NHS dental services for the local community.

Before beginning your treatment, your dentist should make sure you are aware whether you are receiving care under the NHS or privately, and how much the total cost will be.

If my dentist has only provided NHS services for children in the past, is this still the case under the new system?

The NHS services your dentist provides depends on local needs and the contract they have agreed with your PCT. In some cases this may mean that dentists continue to provide children-only services.

However, a dentist may not accept children as NHS patients on condition that their parent, parents or guardian agree to sign up for private treatment.

What treatment is available from NHS dentists?

All clinically necessary treatments and dentures arel still be available on the NHS - i.e treatment that is necessary to secure and maintain your oral health.

If you want, or your dentist suggests, treatment that is purely cosmetic (for example, tooth whitening, large white fillings or white crowns on back teeth), you can decide to have this treatment done privately. You should ask your dentist how much this will cost in addition to charges for NHS treatment. You can agree with your dentist to have some of your treatment provided privately.

If I miss an appointment can my dentist take me off the patient list/refuse to treat me?

Your dentist will not charge you for missed appointments - but if you continue to miss appointments they may decide not to offer you treatment in the future.

How often do I need to go to the dentist?

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)* has introduced guidelines on how often patients need to go to the dentist. Your dentist will recommend a date for your next visit based on your individual oral health needs.

Can I still go to the dentist every six months if I choose to?

You should follow your dentist's advice on how often you need to attend. If you would like to attend more frequently than is required to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you will need to pay for this treatment privately.

How can I get more information and advice about NHS dentistry?

You can contact the British Dental Health Foundation (external link) dental helpline, 0845 063 1188.

What can I do if I'm not happy with my treatment?

You should send a written letter to the person responsible for complaints at your dentist's practice.

You can gain support with making a complaint from:

How can I get information about NHS dentistry in alternate formats?

A national patient information leaflet is available on request in large print and braille and on audio cassette tape and disk. You can contact:

DH Publications Orderline
PO Box 777
London SE1 6XH
Tel 08701 555 455
Fax 01623 724 524
Email dh@prolog.uk.com

Textphone 08700 102 870 (for minicom users) for the hard of hearing from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday

Can I get information on NHS dentistry in another language?

Contact NHS Direct (go to NHS Direct Interactive on Digital satellite TV, visit the NHS Direct website (external link) or phone 0845 4647) or the PCT for local translation services.