NHS Dentist Information
Find a NHS Dentist in Wolverhampton
Your Treatment
Charges: What You Should Pay
Your Treatment Plan
When should my next dental check-up be?
Emergency Treatment
Find a NHS Dentist in Wolverhampton
You can find NHS Dental Services in Wolverhampton through NHS Choices, select the option for Dentists and enter your postcode: http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/homepage.aspx
If you are having difficulty in obtaining NHS dental services in Wolverhampton please call 01902 445378.
- Leaflet - There are more local NHS dentists than you think
- Poster - “How can I find an NHS dentist?”
Your Treatment
Once you’ve selected a dentist, telephone the practice and ask for an NHS dental appointment.
Dental practices do not have a system of registration for patients – meaning there are no closed lists and patient’s can move dentists if they wish. All NHS dentists accept patients (subject to appointment availability) and in Wolverhampton there are 34 practices to choose from. Some practices have NHS appointments available immediately, whilst you may have to book several months in advance in others. If you feel you can’t wait, then try another NHS practice to see if you can book a sooner appointment.
At the appointment your dentist will undertake a full examination of your mouth, teeth and gums. If you need further treatment your dentist will explain your treatment options and let you know what treatment can be done on the NHS and what other work (e.g. cosmetic treatment) can be done privately if you wish. You will be given a treatment plan detailing the dental care you will receive and the amount you need to pay for it on the NHS. If you have also talked about any private treatment, the details and costs of this will be listed separately on the form – if you want to see what a treatment plan form looks like, go to www.dh.gov.uk/dental and click onto the link “Information for patients and the public”.
Charges: What You Should Pay
From 1 April 2012, if you are not exempt from charges, you should pay one of the following rates for each course of treatment you receive:
- Band 1 course of treatment – £17.50
This covers an examination, diagnosis (including X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if needed, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. - Band 2 course of treatment – £48.00
This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or removal of teeth. - Band 3 course of treatment – £209.00
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures and bridges. - Urgent Treatment
If you need urgent care, even if your urgent treatment requires more than one appointment at the same dentist to complete, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge.
These are the only dental charges your dentist should ask you to pay when you are having NHS treatment.
You will only have to pay one charge for each course of treatment – even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it.
If you need more treatment within the same or lower charge band, for example an additional filling, within two months of completing a course of treatment, you do not have to pay anything extra.
Before you receive either Band 2 or Band 3 care, your dentist should give you a personal dental treatment plan with full details of what your dentist is going to do and how much it will cost.
There is no charge for repairing dentures or for having stitches removed.
Children under 18, and many adults, do not have to pay NHS charges. To find out about free NHS dental treatment, see form HC11, Help with health costs, available at your local Jobcentre Plus office or from the Department of Health website www.dh.gov.uk
Your NHS dentist should provide all the care and treatment needed to maintain your dental health. To find out more about what you can expect, you can:
- ask your dentist for a copy of NHS dentistry in England: information for patients
- ask to see your dentist’s practice leaflet
- contact your primary care trust (PCT), or see their website
- visit the NHS choices website at www.nhs.uk or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647
- go to the dentistry pages on the Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk/dental
For more information on dental charges, please click here to go to the NHS Choices website.
Your Treatment Plan
Your dentist should give you a treatment plan to sign before carrying out any Band 2 or 3 treatments. This confirms the NHS treatment your dentist is going to do, and the amount you will need to pay for it on the NHS. If you have talked to your dentist about having private treatment, the details and costs of this will be listed separately on the same form. Please ask your dentist to explain any risks, as well as costs, of private treatment.
All clinically necessary treatment, including root canal work and a scale and polish if your dentist has advised you that this is clinically necessary, is available on the NHS and should be provided as part of your NHS treatment unless you agree to specific private treatment with your dentist.
If you are not given a treatment plan, please ask your dentist for one. If you are not offered necessary treatment as part of your NHS treatment plan (for example you are only offered it if you pay for it privately) you should contact your local PCT for assistance and advice.
Click here to see what a treatment plan form looks like
When should my next dental check-up be?
If you have been used to regular check-ups every 6 months, you may find this changes. The gap could be longer or shorter than this, depending on how healthy your teeth and gums are and your risk of future problems.
Click on the link below to download the latest information on dental check-ups.
Link : Leaflet - When should my next dental check-up be?
If your dentist stops offering NHS appointments and only offers private appointments, you can choose another NHS dentist. Visit www.nhs.uk for a full list of dentists providing NHS dental care in Wolverhampton or phone the PCT on 01902 444888. Book your check-up today.
In addition to visiting your dentist, you can keep your mouth, gums and teeth healthy by:
- Brushing regularly with a fluoride toothpaste which helps to prevent and control decay
- Cutting down on how often you have sugary food and drinks
- Not smoking or using other tobacco products
- Drinking alcohol within limits advised by doctors
- Wearing gum shields when playing sport
Visit the NHS Choices Website Dental Services homepage to find out more.
Emergency Treatment
Urgent treatment means treatment that the dentist considers necessary to relieve severe pain or prevent your oral condition deteriorating before you can make a normal appointment.
Anyone who does not have a regular dentist can access urgent NHS treatment, for example if you require treatment to relieve severe tooth ache or to prevent your oral condition deteriorating before you can make a normal appointment.
Out of hours emergency sessions are held on Saturdays from 9am until 11.30am. For appointments during these times, call 07774 778597.
Emergency sessions for Sundays and Bank Holidays are held from 9am until 11.30am. For appointments during these times, call 07932 904754.
You can call the out of hours team on 0793 1459707 between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, Monday to Friday for urgent treatment.
If you already visit an NHS Dental Practice and require urgent treatment, telephone your practice for assistance.
How much will urgent treatment cost? If you need urgent care, even if your urgent treatment requires more than one appointment at the same dentist to complete, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge.
Page last updated: 08 May 2012
