Dental Services

How to register with a dentist

If you are new to the area or, for any other reason, are not already registered with a dentist, we recommend that you do so. You can obtain details of the NHS dentist nearest your home by telephoning NHS Forth Valley Primary Care Administration on: 01786 434775or you can consult the Doctors, Dentists, Opticians, Pharmacies section of this website.

Please note that due to difficulties in access to dentistry in Forth Valley, as elsewhere in the country, this may not be near your home address. If you wish to change your dentist, you should ask the new dentist whether he/she will accept you as an NHS patient. You do not have to give a reason for changing your dentist.

Once you are registered, you can stay with the same dentist for as long as you wish. However, your dentist may decide to end your registration, for example if you miss your appointments. You may find if difficult to get your dentist to see you in these circumstances. Regular attendance is needed to stay registered with your dentist.

The most the NHS will charge you for any complete course of treatment is £384 (correct at 01.02.09)

If you are unable to register with a dentist

People who are not registered and who have been unable to obtain registration with a General Dental Practitioner can contact the Telephone Help Line (0844 800 6886) seeking routine dental care. Your name will be added to the waiting list for treatment held by the Salaried Dental Service. You will receive a full course of dental treatment and be charged NHS fees, if not exempt from payment.  On discharge you will be advised to continue to seek ongoing registration with a General Dental Practitioner.

Emergency & Urgent Dental Treatment

The text below provides information on access to emergency and urgent treatment in Forth Valley.

During the day (Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm)

Registered patients - During the daytime, if you are registered with a dentist you should telephone your registered practice.

Unregistered patients - During daytime if you are not registered with a dentist, you should telephone the Forth Valley DentaLine on 0844 800 6886 where we will arrange for a Dental Nurse Advisor to contact you and assess the urgency of your symptoms. She will also advise on pain relief and if appropriate will arrange for you to be given an appointment at our dental centres.

As there are a limited number of appointments we would ask that you telephone as soon as possible.

During the evening (Monday - Friday 6pm - 8pm)

All patients - All patients should telephone NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

If the problem is a recognised dental emergency

• Facial or dental trauma
• Oral or facial swelling that is significant and worsening
• Post-extraction bleeding that the patient is not able to control with local pressure
• Dental infection causing acute illness or raised temperature

You will be advised to attend your local Accident & Emergency Department.

If you have an urgent dental problem

• Severe pain
• Mild swelling
• Chronic infection

You will be given advice to control your symptoms. If you are registered you will be asked to contact your registered dental practice the following morning.

If you are not registered  you will be given an appointment to attend one of the dental centres of the local Salaried Dental Service.

Weekends and Public Holidays

All Patients - All patients should telephone NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

If the problem is a recognised dental emergency

• Facial or dental trauma
• Oral or facial swelling that is significant and worsening
• Post-extraction bleeding that the patient is not able to control with local pressure
• Dental infection causing acute illness or raised temperature

You will be advised to attend your local Accident & Emergency Department.

If you have an urgent dental problem

• Severe pain
• Mild swelling
• Chronic infection

You will be given advice to control your symptoms. If you are registered you will be asked to contact your registered dental practice the following morning.                                                                  

If you are not registered  you will be given an appointment to attend one of the dental centres of the local Salaried Dental Service.

Charges for emergency dental treatment

You will be charged the standard NHS rate for any dental treatment you receive, so please bring a means of payment with you.

You will not have to pay if you are usually exempt from charges, but you will need to bring the correct form of proof with you. People normally exempt include those under 16 (18 and under if in full time education) ,and women who are pregnant or who have given birth in the past 12 months. You may be exempt if you receive certain state benefits. For more information, read "Are you entitled to help with health costs?" a leaflet you can pick up when visiting your GP or dentist.

Emergency treatment for the relief of pain rarely exceeds £30.