Dedridge Dental Centre

Our practice is fully committed to National Health Service Dentistry.

If our dentist agrees to accept you as an NHS patient, they will

• Ask for some information about you, for example, your name and address
• Ask you to sign a form to register
• Arrange for you to have a dental check-up and,
• Offer you information about:
• Our practice and the NHS dental service we provide, and
• The dentist who will treat you and where you will be treated, and give you a contact number

You can register your child at the same time. Try to register your child soon after they are born, or as soon as their first tooth appears.

You will have a dental check-up.
During the check-up, your dentist will:

• Ask about any health problems you have had
• Examine your mouth, teeth and gums
• Tell you how to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy, and
• Tell you if you need treatment

If you need treatment, your dentist will:

• Explain your options, including what treatments can be done on the NHS
• Let you know how much the treatment may cost
• Give you a treatment plan setting out the treatment you need
• Tell you when you need to come back for another check-up or more treatment

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 appointments.

As a registered NHS patient, you can get all the care, advice, and treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy.
If you want any cosmetic work, however, you will need to pay for it privately. Some treatments are not available on the NHS, for example:

• Teeth whitening
• White fillings in back teeth
• White crowns on back teeth

It depends. Many adults over the age of 18 have to pay. In Scotland, NHS charges are set by the Scottish Government.

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, or
• Certain other benefits

You must tell your dentist at every visit if you do not have to pay for NHS dental charges or if you get help to pay them under the NHS Low Income Scheme.

You will need to show proof of this, for example an NHS Tax Credit exemption certificate or an Income Support order book. The leaflet "A Quick Guide To Help You With Costs" (HCS2) tells you what documents you need to bring - see below for how to get an HCS2 leaflet.

If you don't have these documents with you, you will not have to pay for your treatment, but a check will be made that you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment or help with the costs.

To find out more about getting free NHS dental treatment, or about help if you are on a low income, phone the NHS inform Helpline on 0800 22 44 88.

The leaflet "A Quick Guide To Help You With Costs" (HCS2) is available from any Citizens Advice Bureau or Jobcentre Plus Office. You can phone the NHS inform helpline and ask for a copy or look on the internet (www.scotland.gov.uk/healthcosts).

Appointments can be made in person at the practice, or by telephoning, and we will aim to provide you with convenient times.

We ask that you give us as much notice as possible to cancel an appointment. In accordance with NHS regulations, we may make a charge if you do not give reasonable notice to cancel an appointment (normally 24 hours), or fail to keep your appointment.

Once your initial treatment is complete, we encourage you to return to the practice at regular intervals to see that everything is going well. This appointment can be arranges 6 months in advance, and if we have your mobile telephone number then we will text you a reminder.

Should you require the services of an interpreter the contact details are as follows, however we can arrange this on your behalf should you wish.

The Interpretation and Translation Service (ITS)
Central Library
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh, EH1 1EG
Tel: 0131 242 8181
Fax: 0131 242 8009

Whenever possible it is best to contact us about emergencies during normal working hours, as early as possible on the day concerned.

In the case of an out of hours emergency please call NHS 24 on 111.

For information on the provision of NHS dentistry in the local area please phone the dental advice line on 0131 536 4800.