Dental Problems – ADVICE

GPs should not attempt to manage a condition requiring dental skills unless they have the appropriate training and expertise. Both the civil courts and the GMC require doctors to have appropriate skills for any treatment they offer.
Even in cases where the patient is not ‘registered’ with a dentist, the treatment of dental problems is not the responsibility of GPs, this includes pain management relating to dental issues.
In such circumstances, the patient should be advised to contact local urgent or emergency dental services (by calling the 111 service), or in severe circumstances the nearest accident and emergency department.

How to find an NHS dentist

There is no need to register with a dentist in the same way as with a GP because you are not bound to a catchment area.
Simply find a dental surgery that’s convenient for you, whether it’s near your home or work, and phone them to see if there are any appointments available.
Dental surgeries will not always have the capacity to take on new NHS patients – you may have to join a waiting list, look for a different dentist who is taking on new NHS patients, or be seen privately.
Once you find a dental surgery, you may have to fill in a registration form at your first visit, which is purely to add you to their patient database. However, that does not mean you have guaranteed access to an NHS dental appointment in the future.

Problems finding an NHS dentist

If after contacting several dental surgeries you still cannot find a dentist accepting NHS patients, call NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre on 0300 311 2233.
NHS England commissions dental services in England and is required to meet the needs of their local population for both urgent and routine dental care.
Your local Health watch also may be able to give you information about services in your area.