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The facts explained

As an established dental practice in Glasgow, we offer a wide range of NHS and private dentistry.

We understand that sometimes these 2 concepts can be confusing as you may not be familiar with what treatments you are entitled to under the NHS.  The information below is here to help with any queries you may have regarding NHS treatments and costs.  Govan Dentalcare – your local NHS dentist Glasgow.

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Your questions answered

Firstly the main question that is asked in most dental practices:

You may be entitled to free dental treatment if you:                                                                            

  • Are under the age of 18.
  • Are aged 18 and in full time education.
  • Expecting a baby.
  • Had a baby in the last 12 months.
  • Have a valid HC2 certificate

A HC2 form is something a lot of our patients haven’t heard of but can be a great help, you may be entitled to HC2 certificate if you receive a low income. You will get a copy of this form at reception with a ready to post envelope. All of our staff here will be happy to help if you fill in any details you are unsure about.

I/my partner receives:

  • Income based job seekers allowance.
  • Income related employment support allowance
  • Income Support
  • Valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate

If none of the above exemptions apply to you then you will be entitled to pay for your dental treatment under the NHS. No need to worry though! Our dentists discuss all treatment plans and costs with you before any further appointments are made, we always give patients a copy of their treatment plan and an estimate of the amount they are due to pay.

At our practice it is very simple to register as an NHS patient:

  • You can give us a phone and we will take some personal details to add to the system and get an appointment arranged right away for a check-up.
  • You can email us using the template on our homepage with all of your details and a day or time that suits you best.
  • If you work nearby or are passing our practice then you can of course drop in and see our receptionist to arrange an appointment.
  • If all of that isn’t simple enough then you can now use our NEW online booking system and connect with the clinic online and choose a time and day as you please!
When it comes to NHS treatments, most dental procedures are available under the NHS.

These include:

  • Your 2 free examinations per year.
  • Radiographs
  • Scale and polish
  • Amalgam fillings
  • White fillings on front teeth
  • Root canal treatment
  • Crowns/bridges
  • Veneers
  • Extractions/surgical extractions
  • Dentures
  • Referrals for sedation

Any dental treatment that is considered to the NHS as cosmetic is known as private dentistry. These treatments include:

  • White fillings on back teeth
  • Dental implants
  • All porcelain crowns and bridges
  • Tooth whitening

Domiciliary visits

Here at Govan Dental Care we especially want to keep hold of our withstanding elderly patients that have been coming to the practice shortly after it opened, especially as our clinic is on the first floor.

This is why we offer home visits to all of our patients that would find it difficult coming into see us. All you would need to do is arrange a time that suits you and one of our dentists will take time out to come to see you and in that time we will try our best to get as much treatment (if it is needed) completed.

Mixing NHS and private treatment

When it comes to mixing NHS and private treatments we are unable to do this on the same tooth such as: A root canal treatment being completed; the NHS only allows us to place a silver filling on top. However if you did want a white filling for the root treated tooth than the whole treatment plan would need to become a private course of treatment and the root treatment would need to be paid at our private fee’s.

This does not mean you cannot mix any NHS or private treatments, as long as it’s not on the same tooth than you can mix private and NHS in the same treatment plan.

NHS prior approval

When you come in for your dental examination there can be either minor or major treatment needed. When it comes to very large treatment plans the NHS have a limit on the cost of treatment they are willing to pay towards this. Each patient has a limit set by the NHS health board of £350 per course of treatment. If your dentist informs you at your check-up that a lot of dental treatment is needed that is over the limit of £350 which can very easily happen than they may need to apply for a prior approval. This just means they will send away a form with the planned treatment and will need to ask the NHS’s permission before they carry out any dental treatment.

After this has been sent to the health board there is a waiting time of around 6-8 weeks whereby you will be asked if you could kindly wait until this has come back. When the 8 weeks is up they should have come to the decision if they agree with the treatment planned or not this decision is entirely up to the NHS health board it has nothing to with your dentist. If you happened to be one the patients that needed to send away for an approval than the dentist would fully explain the procedure any and information before sending it off.

The whole team at Govan Dental Care are very proud to be able to offer you excellent NHS dental services. We are constantly updating our treatment pages and social networking sites with any new information so please feel free to check out our Facebook and twitter pages.

What makes us different

Cost

Free check-ups available from the NHS for all patients in Scotland.

Opening Hours

We are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Children

Our practice is perfect for children and welcomes nervous patients.