Financial arrangements for dentists across Tayside and Fife have changed.
But what does this mean for you? Will this change what you need to pay for?
And what if you don’t have a dentist and need to find one?
We’re answering your questions about the changes to dental care.
What’s going on?
The emergency financial Covid support for dentists ended in April.
Some dentists previously said they would walk away from NHS dentistry because it wouldn’t be financially viable.
But the government is replacing the emergency Covid support, which was paid to dentists regardless of how many patients they saw, with a new interim funding arrangement.
This will effectively reward dentists for seeing more NHS patients.
Do I have to pay for treatment?
The changes won’t affect what you have to pay if you’re an NHS patient. There is a set scale of fees for NHS dental treatment, but check ups are free for all.
NHS charges apply to any X-rays or other treatment but some people are exempt from charges.
This includes children, those aged under 26, pregnant and nursing mothers and those on certain benefits.
Unless you are exempt from NHS charges, or have a certificate entitling you to a reduced charge, you pay 80% of the NHS fee for any treatment up to a limit set every year by the Scottish Government.
Full details about where to find our more about the certificate can be found on the NHS Tayside site and NHS Inform gives information on NHS charges and exemptions.
Are all treatments still available?
To receive the full range of dental treatment and care under the NHS, you must be registered with a dentist.
A full range of services is available but dentists are still working with Covid restrictions.
And although it is now possible for your dentist to provide aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), there are limited numbers of appointments available for this type of procedure.
AGPs use high-speed instruments, for example dental drills, mechanised scalers and air tooth polishers.
Priority is given to patients with urgent dental problems or from vulnerable groups.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
It’s difficult to say as this varies from practice to practice. It’s also affected by the urgency of treatment need, so those in pain will be prioritised.
What if I don’t have a dentist?
NHS Tayside can’t assign you to a dentist, but can provide lists of dentists accepting new NHS patients.
Dentists have the right to choose whether or not to accept you.
To find out who is accepting patients, phone the NHS Tayside Dental Advice Line on 01382 596990.
If you live in Fife and are not registered with a dentist, you can call the NHS Fife Dental Helpline for advice 01592 226555.
What if it’s an emergency?
NHS Tayside advises there is no walk-in service available.
People who require emergency dental care should call 01382 596990 to arrange an emergency appointment in hours.
During evenings, weekends and public holidays (including Christmas and New Year) there’s a single service for emergencies.
To access the NHS Tayside Out-of-Hours service through NHS 24 phone 111.
If you live in Fife and are not registered with a dentist call the NHS Fife Dental Helpline for advice 01592 226555.