Trying to find an NHS Dentist?

Finding a dentist

You can find a list of dental practices which are currently taking on patients on the NHS website below:

Find a Dentist

This is the same list we would refer to if you call us to ask about finding a dentist. We do not have the resources to retain our own separate list up to date.

You don’t register to be a permanent patient with a dental practice in your own locality in England as you would with a GP practice. This is because, under the existing NHS contract, the arrangement between dental practice and patient only lasts as long as the current course of treatment and doesn’t give a dental patient the automatic right to stay permanently registered with the same dental practice for unrelated new treatments or routine check-ups. However, some dental practices may decide to retain a list of previous patients to invite them back for routine check-ups.

Instead of being permanently registered with one dental practice, you can attend any dental practice for NHS treatment, as long as they are taking on NHS patients and they have appointments available or can add you to their waiting list. The dental practice you choose can be in a different area from where you live.

Dental practices will not always have the capacity to take on new NHS patients. You may have to join their waiting list or continue your search for a dentist who is taking on new NHS patients.

The present NHS contract means dental practices have no long-term obligation to continue to see the same patient for NHS treatment. They are only required to provide NHS treatment to a patient undergoing active treatment or when dental work they have already carried out remains under guarantee.

We are aware that it can be difficult to find a dental practice offering NHS treatment, usually because of pressures on the system. If you’re unable to find an NHS dentist, you may wish to contact your local integrated care board (ICB), which manages dental services and may be able to tell you where you can get an NHS dental appointment. Also see section below Making a complaint.

Need urgent dental treatment?

If you are in pain or feel you are in need of urgent dental care, people who are registered for ongoing treatment with a dental practice, or have recently received treatment from a dental practice, are advised to contact that dental practice for advice. If you are not currently with a dental practice and you need urgent or 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.

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

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

Access to the Emergency Dental Service is by telephone only. Walk-in patients at Liverpool Dental Hospital are not accepted without a  prearranged appointment.

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

Please do not visit a hospital emergency department (A&E) or your GP practice with dental problems, as these services cannot provide routine, emergency or out-of-hours dental care.

How much will I be charged for NHS dental treatment?

Costs depend 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 £27.90 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

Specialised Dental Service

The Specialised Dental Service, operated by Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, is for patients 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

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

The team is based in four clinics in Wirral that have specialist equipment such hoists and a wheelchair tippers (for patients who find it difficult to transfer into the dental chair) and are fully compliant clinics for the Disability Discrimination Act.

Domiciliary assessments and advice may also be also available for patients referred by a General Dental Practitioner or other agencies. Follow up treatment will be carried out in a dental clinic where specialist equipment is available.

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.

Charges for treatment received from the Specialised Dental Service would usually cost the same as other NHS treatments.

For more information about the Specialised Dental Service, follow their website link Specialised Dental Service, or call their administration office on 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 tel 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 could 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 tel 0800 132 996.

See also Healthwatch Wirral’s information online about Compliments and Concerns.