Dentist

Dental registration choosing the option that’s right for you Information for you

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Within Ayrshire and Arran you have three choices to consider when arranging dental care; 1. register with a dentist as a NHS patient 2. register with a dentist as a private patient 3. choose to have some treatments as a registered NHS patient and other treatments as a private patient (there are a few dental treatments which are not available on the NHS) How can I register with a dentist as a NHS patient? For information on which dental practices in Ayrshire & Arran are accepting new NHS patients, please visit www.nhsaaa.net/services-index, or alternatively on a Monday to Friday between 8.30am – 4.30pm please call the dental team on 01292 513848. The Childsmile Programme recommends that all babies are registered with a dentist soon after birth, or at least as soon as the first tooth appears. All children should be registered with a dentist. For more information visit www.child-smile.org Once you are registered, you can stay with the same dentist for as long as you wish. However your dentist may decide to end your registration for example if you miss your appointments.

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What treatment can I get as a NHS patient? As a registered NHS patient, you can get all the care, advice and treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy (this includes scaling - the process of removing dental tartar from the surfaces of the teeth). Please note that NHS dental check ups are free of charge. What can I expect from my dentist? As well as being able to give you the treatment mentioned above, your dentist will: • explain your treatment options and let you know what treatment cannot be carried out under the NHS • make sure you know how much your treatment may cost • let you know about any changes to your treatment • ask for your agreement to any treatment Your dentist will not: • ask you to pay a deposit before a check up • charge for treatment without examining you first • refuse to provide NHS treatment where it is available to you (e.g. scalings)

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Treatment not routinely available on the NHS includes: • cosmetic dentistry • teeth whitening • white fillings in back teeth • white crowns on back teeth • dental implants How can I register with a dentist as a private patient and what treatment can I get? Most dentists who provide NHS treatment also offer private and cosmetic treatment such as teeth whitening, white fillings etc. Please ask individual practices for details on their private options. If you choose to have treatment as a private patient, your dentist will: • tell you how much any private treatment will cost • explain your treatment options (including what you can have done on the NHS) • ask for your agreement to any treatment Most dentists in Ayrshire and Arran are not employed directly by the NHS, but run their own dental practices accepting both NHS patients and private patients. 4

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There are, however, a small number of dentists who are employed directly by the NHS, and based in NHS-owned premises such as hospitals / health centres. Dentists employed directly by NHS Ayrshire & Arran are unable to offer private or cosmetic treatments to you. To check whether your dentist comes under this category, please feel free to telephone the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Dental Management Team on 01292 513848. Paying for dental treatment Some adults can get help with some or all of the costs - for example, you can get free NHS dental treatment if you: • are pregnant • have had a baby in the last 12 months • get income support or certain other benefits Leaflet HCS2 ‘A quick guide to help with health costs’ also tells you if you can get free treatment or help with costs. This is available from any Citizens Advice Bureau or Jobcentre Plus Office. You can also telephone the NHS Inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88 to ask for a copy or visit the website www.scotland.gov.uk/healthcosts.

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You must tell your dentist at every visit if you do not have to pay NHS dental charges or if you get help to pay them under the NHS Low Income Scheme. If you have to pay, you can ask your dentist how much it will cost before your treatment begins. Please note that NHS dental check ups are free of charge. To find out more about getting free NHS dental treatment, or about help if you are on a low income, telephone the NHS Inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88. For more details on NHS dental treatment in Scotland you can get the leaflet ‘Getting NHS dental treatment in Scotland’ at www.scotland.gov.uk Can I change my dentist? Yes. You should let your dental practice know that you will be doing this. If you register with a new NHS dentist you will no longer be registered with your old dentist.

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Dentist

Dental Management Team – 01292 513848 Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 4.30pm

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Tha gach sgrìobhainn againn rim faotainn ann an diofar chànanan, clò nas motha, Braille (Beurla a-mhàin), teip claistinn no riochd eile a tha sibh airson a thaghadh.

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Last reviewed: December 2011 Leaflet reference: MIS11-169-CC