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Dentists

The Health Service provides the dental treatment necessary for the health of your mouth and teeth. It is available to everyone, even if you are not registered with the Health Service. Depending on your circumstances, you may have to pay for dental treatment.

Types of dentist and treatments

You can use a Health Service dentist or a private dentist depending on the type of treatment you would like and how much you are able to afford.

Health Service dentists

You can get the following treatments from your Health Service dentist:

  • an examination and assessment
  • x-rays
  • non-surgical treatment like scaling, polishing, periodontal (gum) treatments, marginal fillings and oral hygiene instruction
  • surgical treatments like wisdom and other tooth removal
  • fillings
  • root canal fillings
  • other treatments like bridges, veneers, crowns, inlays, dentures and disease management
  • referral to a dental hospital for specialist treatment

Private dentistry

You can receive a wide range of treatments if you choose to go private, either with your Health Service dentist or another practice. Private dental treatment provides some specialist treatment and cosmetic dentistry that is not available under the Health Service. For example, you can have white fillings on your back teeth.

Orthodontists

Orthodontists specialise in moving and straightening teeth by using orthodontic appliances, such as braces. They help improve the function and health of your teeth and gums by giving you an even bite on all your teeth.

Dental hygienists

Dental hygienists work in dental practices, scaling and polishing teeth, giving periodontal (gum) treatments and oral health promotion advice.

Registering with a local Health Service dentist

Anyone can apply to be taken on by a Health Service dentist. The dentist will decide and agree with the patient what treatment is needed and put together - and agree - a treatment plan.

Patients are then on that dentist's patient list for the duration of the course of treatment. The patient can go back to the same dentist in future if they wish.

Dentists shouldn't assess patients prior to accepting them for treatment. The assessment is part of the course of treatment.

Having a check up

To avoid major problems developing, your dentist will recommend how often you will need a check up.

Guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends you should have a dental check-up depending on your needs and on the basis of an assessment of disease levels and risk of or from dental disease.

NICE recommends that for under 18s an interval between check ups should be between three and 12 months.

For adults the interval between check ups should be between three and 24 months.

Cost of Health Service and private treatment

Private costs are set individually by each dentist and practice and therefore vary from practice to practice. It is advisable to get a written estimate and treatment plan before starting any private dental treatment.

There are now three standard charges for all Health Service dental treatments. This makes it easier to know how much you may need to pay and also helps to ensure that you are being charged for Health Service care (rather than private care).

The maximum charge for a complex course of treatment is £384.00.

You can still receive free health service dental treatment if you meet the exemption criteria:

Your rights

Your dentist should:

  • explain to you the benefits and drawbacks of any treatment they recommend
  • explain any alternatives that may be available
  • have your permission before any treatment is carried out - you can refuse treatment if you do not want it (although if your dentist considers you need it they may refuse to continue treating you)
  • explain your dental records to you if you have any problems in understanding them

As a Health Service patient you are:

  • free to get a second opinion - be aware, if another dentist charges you privately for this, the Health Service will not cover this cost
  • entitled to stop the treatment if you are not satisfied with it
  • entitled to refuse payment for the treatment if it is proved to be unsatisfactory
  • able to inspect your records and x-rays at anytime (within 40 days of a written request), free of charge - if you would like copies, you may have to pay for these
  • entitled to emergency treatment within 24 hours

Private dentists are obliged to provide similar emergency cover for their patients.

If you are a member of a private dental insurance scheme, the rules of the scheme will usually mean that the dentist has to give you a fixed period of notice to end the scheme.

Your dentist must finish your present course of treatment and provide you with any emergency treatment you need in the meantime.

Missing an appointment

Providers of Health Service dentistry are not allowed to charge for missed appointments. Different rules may apply if you use a private practice, so you should check what the policy is.

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