Trying to find an NHS Dentist?

You don’t have to register with a dentist in the same way as a GP. Instead, you can choose to use any dental practice that is convenient for you, whether it’s near your home, work or elsewhere. You can contact any dental practice directly to check if they have any appointments available. Dental practices will not always have the capacity to take on new NHS patients. You may have to join a waiting list or continue to search for a dentist who is taking on new NHS patients.

You can find a list of dentists that are currently taking on more patients on the NHS website.

Find a Dentist

You may find it difficult to find a local dentist that’s offering NHS appointments. If you’re unable to find an NHS dentist, you can contact your local integrated care board (ICB), which manages dental services and may be able to tell you where you can get a local dental appointment. Also see section  below Making a complaint.

If you are already under the care of an NHS dentist, it is important that you continue to attend scheduled NHS dental appointments as directed by your dentist. If you don’t attend, you may be at risk of being removed from their patient database and be unable to obtain NHS dental care from that dental practice in the future.

How can I get urgent dental treatment?

If you are in pain or in need of urgent dental support, people who are registered with a dentist are advised to contact them for advice.

If you are not registered with a dentist and you need urgent/emergency care, you can:

The Emergency Dental Service for Cheshire and Merseyside provides emergency NHS treatment to those who are not registered with a dentist for trauma (a severe physical injury), severe mouth swelling, or severe unmanageable dental pain.

Their phone lines are open 8am -10pm, 7 days a week and including Public Holidays.

Access to the Emergency Dental Service is by telephone triage only. Walk-in patients with no prearranged appointment are not accepted at Liverpool Dental Hospital.

Telephone callers will be triaged appropriately and directed to the nearest available emergency dental provider, which may include Liverpool University Dental Hospital or a local dental practice.

Please do not visit your local hospital emergency (A&E) department or GP Practice with urgent dental problems, as they will not be able to provide emergency or out of hours dental care.

How much will I be charged for NHS dental treatment?

If you pay for NHS dental treatment, the cost depends on what treatment the dental healthcare professional thinks you need. The dental professional should tell you how much your treatment will cost before they start any treatment.

NHS dental treatment costs are grouped into 3 bands, see NHS website link How much NHS treatment costs for more information. For example, the Band 1 NHS dental treatment (routine or emergency) costs £27.40 and for routine treatment may include:

  • examination, assessment and advice
  • X-rays, if clinically needed
  • scaling (a thorough clean of teeth and gums), if clinically needed
  • minimal adjustments to false teeth (dentures) or orthodontic appliances.

Some people can get free NHS dental treatment, or help with part of the cost of treatment. Follow this NHS website link to find out who can get free dental treatment in England.

For example, you should not have to pay for NHS dental care if you’re:

  • aged below 18, or under 19 and still in full-time education
  • pregnant, or have had a baby in the last 12 months
  • being treated in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist (but you may have to pay for any dentures or bridges)
  • you receive War Pension Scheme payments, or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments and the treatment is for your accepted disability.

You (and any dependants aged under 20) may also get be able to get free NHS dental treatment if you or your partner receive certain benefits including:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit

Universal Credit – but only if your income is below a certain amount.

For NHS dental payment rates, click here

Specialised Dental Service

The Specialised Dental Service, operated by Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, provides specialist NHS dental treatment for children and adults whose needs mean they find it difficult to access treatment with a General Dental Practitioner. These may include:

  • Children with extensive untreated tooth decay who are particularly anxious or uncooperative
  • Children with physical or learning disabilities or complex medical conditions
  • Children referred for specific treatment
  • Adults with complex needs who have a proven difficulty in accessing or accepting care in general dental services, including adults with moderate and severe learning and physical disabilities or mental health problems
  • Adults with medical conditions who need additional dental care

The Specialised Dental Service dentists and dental nurses may also provide short term specialist dental care (such as sedation and general anaesthesia) for patients referred by their registered dentist, and are highly experienced at treating patients with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health problems, dental phobias and anxieties.

Specialised Dental Service Telephone Number and Opening Hours

Referrals to the Specialised Dental Service are accepted by phone, in person, or in writing from the following:

  • General Dental Practitioners
  • Hospital Dental Practitioners
  • General Medical Practitioners
  • Other healthcare workers
  • Social Services
  • Voluntary agencies
  • Nursing and residential homes.

For more information about the Specialised Dental Service, follow their website link Specialised Dental Service, or call their administration office tel 0151 514 6261.

Other dental support

The Oral Health Foundation is an independent charity (not-for-profit) dedicated to improving oral health and wellbeing, providing expert impartial advice. Follow this link to the Oral Health Foundation website or telephone: 01788 539 780.

Making a complaint

If you wish to make a complaint about an NHS dentist or NHS dental practice, you could try to resolve it directly with them first by contacting the dental practice with details of your complaint, either in writing, by email or in person. Your complaint must usually be made within 12 months of receiving treatment.

If don’t want to complain directly to the dental practice, you can contact the complaints team for the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, which is the organisation responsible for commissioning NHS dental care. Follow this link to the Patient Advice and Complaints Team webpage for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB or telephone: 0800 132 996.

See also Healthwatch Wirral’s webpage about Compliments and Concerns.