Introduction
This leaflet will tell you:
- What is the dental domiciliary service
- Who is eligible for domiciliary care
- What services can be provided in a domiciliary setting
- How to access this service
- How to prepare for a domiciliary visit
This leaflet is available in alternative formats by telephoning 0191 282 3209
What is the domiciliary dental service?
Domiciliary dental care provides access to dental services for those who are unable to access a dental surgery due to their physical, medical or mental health.
The service can be provided within a:
- person’s own home
- residential accommodation
- hospital
- nursing home
People who may be eligible for the domiciliary service include:
- People who are housebound due to complex medical histories and/or mobility difficulties
- People who are housebound due to mental health illness such as agoraphobia
- People in hospital or hospice whether short or long term
How to access the service
You can be referred to the dental domiciliary service by any health care professional either by
letter or telephone.
Self-referrals are also accepted; such referrals can be made by yourself or by a family member
or carer on your behalf.
The individual making the referral will be asked a series of questions over the phone by our
admin team in order to best arrange a visit.
Preparing for your visit
Before your visit you will receive by post a:
- medical history
- social history and an
- NHS patient declaration form
All three forms must be fully completed and returned to the domiciliary team before your
appointment.
NHS dental charges do apply for domiciliary services unless you are exempt.
No payment will be taken at the appointment time; an invoice will be sent to you. If you have
any concerns regarding this please contact a member of our team.
If you need assistance and/or a patient is unable to consent to his/her own treatment please
ensure a family member or carer can be present at the first appointment.
Two members of staff, a dentist and dental nurse, will arrive for the scheduled appointment. Both staff will be wearing NHS name badges.
Environment
We would ask that you help our team by providing
- a location in which treatment can be provided with dignity and privacy.
- access to water and electricity may be required during our visit.
- please ensure any pets are safely secured in an alternative room during the visit.
Summary
Before the first visit the following information is required:
- completed medical history form and list of all current medications
- name and address of the patient’s GP
- nature of any physical and/or mental disability
- completed social history form
- completed patient declaration form and details of exemption status if applicable
Any delay in our team receiving this information will likely result in your appointment being
changed to another day.
For further information
Contact details
Please send domiciliary referrals to:
Dental Administrator
Arthur’s Hill Dental Clinic
Douglas Terrace
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 6BT
Tel: 0191 282 3209
Fax: 0191 273 7027
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) for help, advice and information about NHS
services. You can contact them on freephone 0800 032 02 02, email
[email protected] or text to 07815 500 015.
Useful websites
If you would like further information about health conditions and treatment options, you may wish to have a look at the NHS website at www.nhs.uk
If you would like to find accessibility information for our hospitals, please visit
www.accessable.co.uk
Complaints
If you wish to make a complaint, please first approach the dentist who provided your treatment.
If your problem has not been resolved please contact the Head of Community Dental Services
If you wish to make a complaint, which has not been resolved by your dentist, you can contact The Complaints Administrator at Patient Relations, Freeman Hospital, High Heaton, NE7 7DN, telephone 0191 223 1382.
If you need help to make your complaint, you can contact the Independent Complaints Advocacy service (ICA) on free telephone number 0808 802 3000
email: [email protected] or
visit: www.nenhscomplaintsadvocacy.co.uk or
write to: North East NHS ICA
Aidan House
Sunderland Road
Gateshead
NE8 3HU
If you have an emergency such as dental bleeding, swelling or trauma on an evening, weekend or Bank Holiday and cannot contact your own dentists please contact NHS 111 (free of charge)
For independent dental advice you can contact…
The British Dental Health Foundation helpline 01788 539 780 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday or visit www.dentalhelpline.org.uk
You can keep your mouth healthy if you…
- Brush your teeth and gums twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (especially last thing at night)
- Keep dentures clean, left out of your mouth overnight and gently brush your gums
- Keep foods and drinks containing sugar to meal-times only and try to cut down on the amount of sugar you have
- Quit using tobacco (smoking and/or chewing)
- Visit your dentist at least once a year or as often as they advise you
- If you have any questions about your treatment please ask your dentist
