Accessing dental services
It is important to have regular dental check-ups even if you are not experiencing any pain or symptoms. If you wait until a cavity hurts, it may be too late to save the tooth. Regular check-ups with a dentist will identify issues early and help to keep your mouth healthy and disease-free. Dentists also carry out regular checks for mouth cancers.
How often you need to see the dentist depends on your individual need. Those at highest risk may be recalled every three months, while children at lowest risk will be invited every 12 months and low-risk adults may only be invited to visit their dentist every two years.
Children should be taken to the dentist when their first tooth emerges at about six months old, or at least by their first birthday.
If you need to find a dentist for routine and ongoing care, use the NHS ‘find a dentist’ service at https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist
NHS dental services are charged in three bands:
- Band 1: £26.80 – covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish (if clinically needed), and planning for further treatment.
- Band 2: £73.50 – covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions).
- Band 3: £319.10 – covers all treatment included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges.
- Free NHS dental services are only available to those aged under 18 (or under 19 if in full-time education), pregnant women or women who have had a baby in the last 12 months, people being treated in an NHS hospital by a hospital dentist and those on low-income benefits.
The NHS only receives funding for 60 per cent of the population to receive NHS dentistry, however the decline in oral health since the COVID-19 pandemic means the level of funding received in reality is currently only sufficient for around 50 per cent of the population to be able to access routine NHS dental care. It is therefore not possible for everyone in the UK to receive NHS dental treatment.
While very few dentists may be accepting new NHS patients at the moment, they may all accept patients privately. Most dentists offer a payment plan that will ensure all routine care is carried out at a cost not too dissimilar to NHS services.
Unlike GP practices, nobody is registered with a dentist. By completing a registration form at your dentist you are simply being added to their database, however this does not provide guaranteed access to an appointment.
If you need to access a dentist in an emergency or out of normal hours, use NHS111 by visiting 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
Urgent dental treatment is charged at £26.80 (unless you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment).
The Lancashire and South Cumbria dental helpline can also provide advice, support and an appointment where required. It is charged at your local rate. Call 0300 1234010 between 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays.
You should only go to A&E if you are suffering from heavy bleeding or have injuries to the face, mouth or teeth.