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Finding a dentist |
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Where can I find a dentist? |
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There are several main ways to find a dentist. The first is to ask friends, neighbours or colleagues to recommend one to you. The second is to look in the Yellow Pages where all dentists are listed for your area. An alternative is to contact your local Primary Care Trust who will have a list of NHS dentists in your area.
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What should I do next? |
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It may be an idea to visit the practice you are interested in, to have a look around before you make an appointment. Check the general appearance of the practice – is it clean and tidy? Are the staff friendly? What range of treatment is available? Find out about the opening hours and details of what emergency cover is provided out of hours. Most practices will produce a leaflet which outlines the way they operate.
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What do the letters stand for? |
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All practising dentists must be registered with the General Dental Council. This is a statutory body, which protects the patient by ensuring that all practising dentists are properly trained.
All qualified dentists will have the letters BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) or LDS (Licentiate in Dental Surgery) after their name. The letters LDS are awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons, whilst the letters BDS are awarded by individual universities. Any dentist qualifying from Leeds Dental Hospital will have the letters BchD after their name. A dentist who has qualified overseas, will possibly have the letters DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) which is the equivalent of the letters BDS. These are the main qualifications required in order to practice dentistry.
The dentist may also have other letters after their name, which indicate a postgraduate qualification. The MFGDP(UK) and the MGDS give an indication that they have studied general dental practice beyond the basic qualification level, the MGDS being the senior qualification. However, it is important to remember that you should choose a dentist with whom you feel comfortable with and can trust to work with you to maintain good oral and dental health.
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Can I go to any dentist? |
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Yes. Dentists operate differently from doctors and therefore do not have specific ‘catchment’ areas. If you are happy with a particular dentist and move out of the area, you do not need to change dentists.
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How do I find an NHS dentist? |
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The Area Health Authority will have a list of all the NHS dentists practising in your area. They should be able to give you a list of names and addresses, but will not be able to make any recommendations. Or you can look in the Yellow Pages, where many dentists now advertise.
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How do I find a private dentist? |
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A personal recommendation is often the best way. Private dentists usually advertise in the Yellow Pages and they will list any special treatments that they offer. If you are looking for a particular type of treatment, your dentist may refer you to an appropriate private specialist.
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Can I mix private and NHS treatment? |
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Yes. Everything you may need to keep your mouth healthy can be provided under the NHS. However, you can choose to have some of your treatment provided on a private basis.
You may wish to have some treatment which is not necessary to your dental health, such as cosmetic treatment. You can choose to have these treatments privately. Discuss the matter with your dentist before deciding which option suits you best.
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What about charges? |
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NHS fees are set by the Department of Health. In England and Wales there are three levels of treatment charges under the NHS. These are split into Band 1, which is routine treatment, such as, check-up, any necessary scaling or any necessary x-rays. Band 2 covers treatment such as, fillings, root fillings or extractions. Band 3 is charged for more complex procedures that involve laboratory work, for example, dentures or crowns. You will be expected to pay only one of these charges per course of treatment. Urgent or emergency treatment is charged separately. People exempt from charges include children under 18, pregnant and nursing mothers and adults getting certain types of benefit. A check-up in Wales is free of charge if you are under 25 years or over 60 years old.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the patient still pays 80% of the charges up to a specified limit, although a check-up is free of charge for everyone.
Private fees vary quite considerably from one dentist to another. It is always advisable to ask about charges before starting treatment. Check what the average fees are for a check-up and any treatment you might need, such as a scale and polish, a crown or a filling.
Whether you choose a private or an NHS dentist, you should be told clearly before you start what the fees will be. Ask for a written treatment plan, which will list the treatment and the appropriate fees.
There are several dental capitation programmes and several dental insurance schemes. It is important to check whether your dentist accepts patients under these schemes and what the relative costs would be.
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