Patients presenting to GP with dental issues

If patients are already registered with a dentist, they should be directed there for routine or urgent dental issues.

Routine dental care

Patients can contact the Dental Helpline on 01387 245532 or visit https://sway.cloud.microsoft/hHPujZwf4LtLX4g6?ref=Link for up-to-date information on the availability of NHS dentists across the region

Single Course of Treatment

Patients who are not registered with a dentist can self-refer into the Public Dental Service for a single course of treatment at the following locations:

Dumfries Dental Centre – This is provided by final year dental students from the University of Glasgow under clinical supervision. This service is available to adults aged 16 years and over and does not incur any patient charges.

• Please contact the Dental Helpline or visit https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/k0GzQZWy5L to fill out a self-referral.

Garden Hill Dental Clinic (Castle Douglas) & Galloway Community Hospital (Stranraer) – Treatment is provided by a Senior Dental Officer and is available to patients of all ages*.

• . Please contact the dental helpline or visit https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/LAThBCnmMj to fill out a self-referral.

*Information on NHS dental charges and exemptions can be found on the NHS Inform website:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/dental/receiving-nhs-dental-treatment-in-scotland/#dental-treatment-costs.

Urgent dental issue

Patients who do not have a dentist and develop an urgent dental problem, such as severe dental pain, swelling, bleeding or trauma, can access the Emergency Dental Service.

• During normal working hours, patients should contact the Dental Helpline on 01387 245532.
• Out of hours, patients should contact NHS 111.

Access to the service is based on clinical need and all patients will be triaged to determine the urgency of their condition.

The Emergency Dental Service provides immediate necessary treatment only to address urgent symptoms and does not provide ongoing routine dental care.

Standard NHS dental charges may apply, unless the patient is entitled to an exemption.

Prescribing antibiotics should be avoided in patients presenting to GPs.

The Special Care Dental Service provides NHS dental care for patients who, because of a disability, vulnerability or medical condition, are unable to access dental treatment through a high street NHS dentist (General Dental Service – GDS) for all or part of their dental care.

The service is not intended for patients who could attend a general dental practice if one were available. Referral is based on clinical need and eligibility criteria.

The service provides assessment and treatment for patients with additional care needs who cannot be managed within the General Dental Service, including:

• Individuals with physical disabilities who require specialised equipment or mechanical aids that are not available in general dental practice.
• Individuals with learning disabilities.
• Individuals with significant mental health conditions.
• Individuals with complex or significant medical conditions that make treatment in a general dental practice unsuitable.
• Frail older adults whose health, mobility or care needs prevent them from accessing routine dental services.
• Dental treatment for patients where a delay to treatment would be detrimental to the patient’s medical condition or behaviour
• Multiple medical co-morbidities where liaison will be required with medical specialties
• Adults at risk who cannot access oral healthcare in GDS
• Assessment of patients requiring domiciliary care that cannot be provided by GDS
• Assessment of paediatric patients requiring dental treatment under GA/Inhalation Sedation

Full criteria here

Historically patients would have been referred to this service by their usual dentist, however, they can also be referred by a GP via SCI-Gateway...D&G Dental Services...Public Dental Service...DG-HD Public Dental Service