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dentists Commonly asked questions about NHS dentistry

Commonly asked questions about NHS dentistry

NHS dentistry can be confusing and it can be difficult to know what treatment is available, the costs and your rights as an NHS patient.

If you're unhappy with the NHS dental care you've received or you're not sure if what your dentist offered you is correct, speak or write to your dental practice first. Alternatively, contact NHS England, which commissions dental services in your area. For more information, read the NHS complaints procedure.

You can also contact the General Dental Council (GDC) for advice. The GDC exists to protect all dental patients, both private and NHS. If you're concerned that the treatment you've received is below standard, you can also report a dental professional online on the GDC website.

Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about NHS dental services.

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Can a dentist decide what treatment to do privately or on the NHS?

No. You can have all treatment on the NHS that your dentist feels is clinically necessary to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. If your dentist says you need a particular type of treatment, you should not be asked to pay for it privately. The exception is cosmetic treatment, such as teeth whitening, which is not covered by the NHS.

If you're ever offered any private treatment as part of your NHS treatment plan, your dentist should always tell you that it's optional. Separate details of private treatment and charges – usually on the same form as your NHS treatment plan – should always be given in writing before you commit to it. If it is not, query this immediately with the dentist or seek advice from the commissioning board, NHS England.

Is private treatment better than NHS treatment?

Any treatment provided on the NHS has to be of the same high quality as treatment provided privately. Dentists are not allowed to refuse any treatment available on the NHS but then offer the same treatment privately. For example, a dentist cannot refuse to do a root canal treatment on the NHS but then offer it to you privately.

After discussing your treatment needs and all the options available to you with your dentist, you may choose to have some general dental treatment provided privately in addition to NHS treatment. This may be carried out at the same time as your NHS course of treatment. The dentist should discuss the options with you so that you can make an informed choice.

Your dentist should explain any risks as well as the costs of all treatment, and should also give you advice on how to keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy.

Do I have to pay extra if I have been referred to another dentist?

If you're referred to another dentist as part of an existing course of treatment, you should only pay one charge. However, if your dentist refers you to another dentist, this is usually regarded as a separate course of treatment and you can expect to pay a second charge. The amount you need to pay will depend on the treatment involved once the second dentist has assessed you and decided what treatment you need. Read pages 22 to 24 of the NHS guide to dental services in England for more detailed information about referrals (PDF, 2.24Mb).

Can I get a second opinion, and do I have to pay again?

If you're unhappy about agreeing to your treatment plan or signing it, you have the right to say no to all or any of the recommended treatments. You also have the right to get a second opinion from another dentist. However, you'll still have to pay the first dentist you saw a Band 1 (£18.00) fee for your consultation, in addition to the cost of the second consultation and any subsequent treatment.

Will I pay again if I need more treatment after completing one course of treatment?

You do not have to pay again if:

You need more treatment within the same or a lower charge band (such as another filling) within two months of completing a course of treatment. As long as you discussed the problem with the dentist during that time, they will try to fit you in as soon as possible. However, if they have to offer you a later appointment, you should not be charged again.
You need repair work or a replacement of certain types of restoration within a year of the original work being done. You should return to the same dental provider.

If your dentist has given you different information, you can raise your concerns with NHS England, which commissions dental services.

If I miss an appointment but have already paid for the treatment, do I have to pay again?

While a dental surgery can’t charge you for not turning up, NHS England, the commissioning board, has the right to ask you to find another surgery if you continually miss appointments, usually after three "no shows" in a row. More importantly, by not turning up, you will stop someone who really needs a dentist from being seen. This is why it is important to give as much notice as possible when cancelling an appointment.

Do I have to register before making an appointment?

No. There is no need to register with an NHS dentist. Simply find a surgery that's convenient for you, whether it's near your home or work, and phone them to see if any appointments are available. To find dental surgeries in your area that are taking on new NHS patients:

Use your postcode to search for dentists near you.
Text "dentist" to 64746 or NHSGO from your mobile phone. We’ll send you up to three text messages with dentists that are nearest to you. Learn more about NHS Choices mobile.
Call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Find out more about how to find an NHS dentist.

Do I need a check-up every six months?

No. It used to be recommended that people see their dentist for a check-up every six months, but the national guidelines changed in 2004. Adults are recommended to have a check-up at least once every two years, and children at least once a year. However, your dentist will recommend how often you should see them, based on your current dental health. See the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) website for more information about when your next dental check-up should be (PDF, 29Kb).

When do I pay for my NHS treatment?

Different dental practices have different requirements. Some may ask for the whole payment for your treatment up front, while others will ask you to pay after it has all been completed. Check with your practice when you arrive for your initial check-up.

If you're on a low income or benefits, find out about help with dental costs.

Are white fillings available on the NHS?

White fillings are available on the NHS if they're clinically appropriate. However, sometimes sliver-coloured (amalgam) fillings may be a more durable option. For more advice, contact NHS England, which commissions dental services in you area.

Are veneers available on the NHS?

Not usually as they're considered a cosmetic treatment. However, if your dentist thinks the procedure is clinically necessary, it can be available on the NHS.

I had treatment abroad. Will the NHS cover aftercare or treatment if things go wrong?

If you have cosmetic dental treatment abroad and have problems after you return or need general aftercare, it's up to your dentist whether you can have treatment or aftercare on the NHS. If it's not possible, your only option is to seek private treatment, which could be very expensive.

If you have emergency dental treatment overseas, make a dental appointment when you return to ensure the problem has been fully treated, and you weren't given just a temporary solution to stop the pain.

Find out more about treatment abroad, including:

Comments

5 Comments about ‘Commonly asked questions about NHS dentistry’

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

mel_87 said on 09 April 2013

Can I ask.... I have been referred to the hospital for a tooth extraction by my dentist - as this will be done at the hospital probably under sedation will it be free?

alexbigall1966 said on 02 February 2013

i would just like to say since the government let dentist go private,I had stopped going,which is why I have lost nearly all my teeth,Yes I know the dentist are now taking nhs again,but for me it feels to late,so I've now decided that once all my teeth come out I will feel I no longer want to live,I've never liked dentists,never will,but I feel I would be to ashamed to visit the dentist,knowing I'd get a lecture about the state of my teeth and gums,or I would be laughed at.

Ladywriterwriter said on 07 July 2012

to add to my other comment, a GA is good for nervous patients, but alas as to my other post, I got sick the day before the op. I rang up day before could hardly even talk, I know they wont put you under GA when you are sick. But I was not only very sick but angry that how could this happen a day before the operation when I have waited so long. Like having a curse put on me.

Ladywriterwriter said on 07 July 2012

My dentist refer me to hospital to have my wisdom tooth out under GA. I waited quite a while on the hospital list for this, as its impacted under gum. I managed to get a cancellation a few weeks ago and the day before the op I only got sick which a chest infection so it had to be cancelled, and now got to wait again. until end of July

kcp said on 07 May 2012

unfortunately due to an illness that causes me to vomit i have lost a number of teeth. the last dentist i went to said i would have to have a denture made and could not have bridges or crowns on the nhs. because of my illness i have a low tolerance to forgein items in my mouth so when i tried a denture it just made me want to vomit and remove it a s quickly as possible. the dentist said i had agreed to a denture despite the fact i had told her and demonstrated to her, when she tried to treat me, that i had a low gag and would probably have problems. but she went ahead and had a denture made, i did try to wear the denture but just ended up in the same situtation. so i returned the denture she tried to make me pay for it and i told her i had never agreed to a denture unless it was to try first. so now i have lost a dentist, which i am not too sorry about, only because it is so hard to find a nhs dentist and it felt like having a bad one was better than nothing. i can see me ending up toothless and hiding away from the public. what i thing to look forward to.