North East London Special Care Dental Service

To make a referral, please use this form

Special care dentistry is for patients who may have a social, psychological or physical disability and who could need dental care to be adapted for them. They may also find it difficult to access mainstream dentistry.

This includes patients with phobias or fears of dental care or those who need adapted surgeries that can manage patients in wheelchairs. It is also about having staff with the skills to treat patients with complex medical histories, for which dentistry may a high risk. An example is patients who have learning disabilities and are unable to understand the care or co-operate with the required care.

Special care dentistry is a core service for us. We have invested in staff and facilities to provide a quality service. For most of our patients we are their only dentist and we recall some special care patients for regular examinations. Others can have regular examinations at their own family dentist but need our support when having dental treatment.

An assessment appointment is booked to establish whether the patient meets the criteria for acceptance into our service, and we may plan for a “shared care” approach with a high street dentist.

Referrals

We do not accept self-referrals. Please ask for a referral from a health, education or social services professional.