Dental

Dental services have limited capacity for NHS provision and this can cause issues when patients present at general practice.

To ensure that there is no misunderstandings as to GPs obligations to patients who request emergency dental treatment, or ask for an NHS prescription for drugs, the BMA has guidance on patients presenting with dental problems  and we would urge that all reception staff, as well as clinical staff, are briefed as appropriate

BMA Guidance Patients presenting with Dental Problems
MDU Guidance on Treating Patients with dental problems
Dental Contract

 

Dealing with queries from dental providers

There is no need for a dentist, or patient, to contact a GP when considering a tooth extraction for a patient who is on anti-coagulant medication. The dentist should be able to make the decision based on guidelines provided by the LDC. The LDC recommended guidance is published by the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme and can be accessed here.

If a Dentist is seeking advice regarding a patient interrupting their medication to increase the clotting times temporarily then we believe it is entirely appropriate for the dentist and doctor to have a conversation to agree the most appropriate course of action.

It will depend on what the request is as to whether you should consider prescribing.

Within their NHS contract dentists are expected to supply drugs and appliances relating to the care they give and issue prescriptions. 

 

However they may refer the patient back to the GP

  • If the medication needed is unrelated to their dental issue, or is not an item they can prescribe as a dentist.
  • If it is a long term medication need
  • If they are providing private dental care and it seems appropriate that the medication is supplied on the NHS

 

GP's should ensure they are in agreement with the prescribing recommendation and are comfortable to take on sole prescribing responsibility before considering doing the prescription.

If you are unsure if the request is appropriate please ask the dental practice for clarity.

Patients presenting at GP practices with dental issues should be directed to call 111 to be taken through their triage for Urgent Dental issues.

There are urgent dental appointments commissioned by the ICB to serve patients without routine access to a dentist.