Dental Services

The Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Dental Services provide specialist dental services (special care and paediatrics) and urgent care in a number of sites across Central and East Lancashire.

Previously we provided some routine care for people who were struggling to access an NHS dentist. However, since 1 April 2022, we are no longer commissioned to provide routine care in the majority of our sites and are now a referral only service. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have attended one of our sites regularly in the past for routine care, we may be able to offer you an appointment to manage any dental problems you are having. Unfortunately we cannot offer check up appointments for those patients who do not require specialist services. If you have a dental emergency and do not have access to a regular dentist please call 0300 1234 010.

Services we provide

Special Care Dental Services (SCDS) – referral required.
Specialist Paediatric Dentistry– referral required.
Urgent Care Dental Services in and out of hours. Allocation to this service is available through the Lancashire Dental Helpline by calling 0300 1234 010. We cannot accept walk in patients.

If you have trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, or swelling that is affecting your breathing then please attend your local A&E.

What is Special Care and Paediatric Dentistry?

Children under 16 years old with additional social, medical or dental needs that prevent them receiving dental care in a general dental practice and children who are ‘looked after’ or under child protection orders.
Adults over 16 years old with additional needs, impairment, or disability that prevent them receiving dental care in a general dental practice.

How to access the service

You will need to be referred to the service by a dentist, doctor, or other health and social care professional or another organisation such as AgeUK.

Click here to view special care referral form

Click here to view paediatric referral form

Click here to view paediatric referral guidance

Click here to view adult referral guidance

Opening hours

Normal surgery opening hours are:

Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.00pm
Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

Reception areas are closed between 12.15pm and 1.15pm

Full disability access on all sites (including toilets and parking).

Induction loops are available.

If you need a language or sign language interpreter this can be arranged for you.

Please contact the dental department and let them know your requirements.

If you’re unable to keep your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible and at least 24 hours before your appointment, this is so we can give the appointment to someone else. Missed appointments are a waste of NHS time and money. If you fail to attend or cancel at short notice more than two appointments in a 12 month period, you may be discharged from our service.

Band 1

This covers an examination, x-rays, a scale and polish if needed and preventative care such as fluoride varnish application or fissure sealants. This also covers urgent treatment.

Band 2

This covers everything listed in Band 1 above plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or extractions.

Band 3

This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above plus crowns, dentures, bridges and splints.

Up-to-date pricing can be found on the NHS Business Services Authority website.

If you are attending an appointment for urgent care, the Band 1 charge is payable prior to seeing the dentist. This covers a limited range of treatments.

All patient who pay for their dental treatment must pay their charges before completion of treatment; failure to pay the full cost of treatment may mean we will not treat you in the future.

If you are claiming free or reduced cost NHS dental treatment, you will be asked for written proof of why you do not have to pay. You will also be asked to sign a form to confirm that you do not have to pay. The NHS carries out checks to make sure people do not dishonestly claim that they are exempt from charges. Patients found to have wrongly claimed to be exempt from charges may be prosecuted for an offence that can lead to a criminal record. They would have to pay the charge due, plus a penalty charge.

You are entitled to:

Be treated with dignity and care by all our staff
A full explanation of your treatment options
Information about NHS charges displayed in the waiting room
Make a complaint if you are not happy with your treatment and care

You are responsible for:

Giving us at least 24 hours notice if you have to cancel or change an appointment
Informing our staff of any change of address or other details
Following your dentist’s advice to prevent tooth decay and gum disease
Providing proof that you are entitled to claim help with the cost of NHS treatment. If you do not give us proof of this we may need to check you are eligible
Treating our staff with courtesy and respect

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust has a zero tolerance policy. We can refuse to treat patients who are violent or abusive, or who fail to pay their bills. If this happens we will write to you and tell you why we can no longer treat you.