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NHS Services

NHS SERVICES

NHS Dental Charges

On April 2006, the most significant reforms to NHS dentistry took place. These reforms are benefiting patients by improving access to NHS dental services and by replacing the old, complicated charging system with three simple, standard price bands.

There are now three standard charges for all NHS dental treatments. This makes it easier to know how much you may need to pay and also helps to ensure that you are being charged for NHS care (rather than private care). Please check the NHS official website for more details.

You still receive free NHS dental treatment if you meet the exemption criteria.

You can get further information on NHS dental treatments/forms from NHS order line on 0845 610 1112.

Click here for NHS Dental Charges

Who is entitled to free dental care?

You can get free NHS dental treatment if you are:

  • under 18
  • 18 and in full-time education
  • pregnant, or have had a baby in the 12 months before treatment starts,
  • an NHS inpatient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist, or
  • an NHS Hospital Dental Service outpatient. There may be a charge for dentures and bridges

You are also entitled to free NHS dental  treatment if you or your partner (including civil partners), receive either:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit; or
  • you are named on, or entitled to (use your award notice as evidence), an NHS tax credit exemption certificate, or
  • you are named on a valid HC2 certificate.
  • Partial help

If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate, you might get some help towards the cost of your NHS dental treatment. The certificate tells you how much you will have to pay.

Emergency service

In case of a dental emergency outside our working hours, please contact NHS Urgent Care Dental Service on 0203 594 0938.

Service operating hours:
Weekdays 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Weekends/Bank holidays 9:00am to 7:00pm
In case of a dental emergency during practice closures please contact NHS 111 service

Amalgam fillings

Amalgam (silver) fillings have been used for decades and they remain one of the most commonly used filling materials. They are often referred to as metal fillings. Amalgam is a mixture of silver and other metals, such as copper, tin and zinc, grounded into powdered form. The silver powder is mixed with mercury and placed into the cavity preparation where it is shaped before hardening. In recent years, the safety of amalgam fillings has come under scrutiny because of the mercury it contains. The absorption of elemental mercury is known to be a contributing factor to several diseases, including Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, dementia and arthritis. However, recent studies have proved amalgam fillings to be perfectly safe.

Gold fillings

Gold fillings are widely viewed of restorations. From a bio-mechanical perspective, they are the ideal material as they will not tarnish or corrode and they wear at the same rate as tooth enamel. The placement of a gold filling requires two separate appointments with your dentist. At the first visit, the cavity is removed and the tooth is prepared. An impression is taken of the tooth preparation and a temporary restoration is placed. A custom made filling is made from the impression. At the second visit the temporary restoration is removed and the gold filling is placed.

Composite fillings

Composite fillings are the newest type of filling in common usage. They are commonly known as white fillings. They are a porcelain/plastic hybrid that is bonded directly to the cavity preparation.  Composite fillings were created as an alternative to traditional metal dental fillings. They are coloured to look like natural teeth and are more aesthetically pleasing than amalgam or gold fillings. They are also strong, durable, and make for a very natural looking smile. Your dentist will give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area before preparing an access to the decayed area of the tooth and removing the decayed portions. Traditional drills, micro air abrasion or even with a dental laser can be used to accomplish this. A special dental material is then used to open up the pores of your tooth’s dentin and roughens up the surface of the exposed enamel. This creates a stronger bond between the tooth and the filling. The bond resin is applied to stick the composite to your tooth. This material is made of the same dental resin as the composite however it is much more fluid. With a composite filling, your dentist will be able to preserve more of the natural tooth as the composite resin can be bonded to the tooth in thin layers and slowly built up to form a complete filling. A bright dental light will harden each layer before the next is applied.

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