How to find a Special Care Dentist in a Local Community or Hospital Dental Service

Some dentists may be able to treat people with special needs in their surgery. However, some people may not be able to get to their dental practice because of a disability or medical condition. In this case, the dentist should refer the patient to a more specialised dental service. Ask your dentist what is needed for a referral and if it is suitable in your case.

Specialised dental services are commonly provided by community dental services. Community dental services are available in a variety of places to ensure everyone can have access to dental health. These include hospitals, specialist health centres and mobile clinics, as well as home visits or visits in nursing and care homes. 

To find out more about the community dental care available in your area, contact NHS England on 0300 311 2233

How to find an NHS dentist

Please note that the BSSCD webpage cannot offer advice on dental problems or finding a dentist. 

England

If you live in England:

For urgent problems please use NHS 111 by telephoning 111 or via the internet by clicking here

If you are trying to register with a dentist please click here 

Wales

To find NHS dental care or if you have an urgent dental problem, you should contact your local Dental Helpline. There are different phone numbers depending on the area where you live or are staying in. These are as follows:

Aneurin Bevan (covers Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen): 01633 744387

Betsi Cadwaladr (covers Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham): NHS 111 Wales

Cardiff and Vale (covers Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan): 0300 10 20 247

Cwm Taf Morgannwg (covers Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend): 0300 123 5060

Hywel Dda (covers Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion): NHS 111 Wales

Swansea Bay (covers Swansea and Neath Port Talbot): NHS 111 Wales

Powys: 01686 252 808

For more information click here 

Scotland

If you live in Scotland please click here to find out how to register with a dentist and access urgent dental care.

Northern Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland please contact your local health trust for more information. 

There is a wealth of information for patients with special care needs available on the internet or from providers of dental services.

Click here for a selection of the patient information resources we have found.

Oral Care Information for Patients and their Carers

Many disability organisations and other groups have web based information on oral and dental care.

Below is a selection of some of the resources we have found:

BSDH cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites.

Oral Care Resources available directly from providers of dental services

In addition to these resources, some providers of dental services produce their own leaflets and other patient information:

• 'The Good Teeth Guide for Parents and Carers of Children with Extra Needs': a leaflet on oral care for disabled children, produced by Manchester PCT and available to dowload via their website
• 'Going to the dentist' (1999) : A book using photographs and MAKATON symbols to explain routine experiences for people with learning disabilities and/or communication problems. Available from: Ballymena Community Dental Services, Homefirst Community Trust, Spruce House, Braid Valley Site, Cushendall Rd, Ballymena BT43 6HL Tel: 01266 635213
• 'Healthy Teeth = Happy Teeth' (2006): A leaflet on oral care for children with medical problems produced by Bracknell Forest Dental Services available to download via the local NHS website
• 'A Healthy Mouth for People with Special Needs': a leaflet produced by Bradford District Care Trust Salaried Dental Service. Available from Tel: 01274 202804 or 01535 654666
• 'Mouthcare and Huntingdon's Disease': A leaflet produced by Dorset Community Dental Service. Available from: Dental Department, Canford Health Centre, Culliford Crescent, Poole, BH17 9DW Tel: 01202 691520 ext 29
• 'The Home and Away Oral Care Pack': A practical toothbrushing programme for people with a learning disability produced by Warwickshire Special Care Dental Service. Available from: c/o 73, Barbridge Road, Bulkington, Nuneaton CV12 9PD Tel: 02476 640115. e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.