Finding an NHS Dentist in Islington

NHS Islington is responsible for making sure everyone who lives in Islington has access to dental services and that dentists deliver high standards of care to patients.

The NHS services provided by dentists depend on local needs and their contract with NHS Islington. Some dentists may continue to provide a mixture of NHS and private care. All dentists have up-to-date practice information on the NHS services they have agreed to provide.

You do not have to see a dentist in Islington, you can see any dentist in the country as an NHS patient as long as they are providing NHS dental services.

What has changed?

  • Patients are no longer registered with a dentist as an NHS patient
  • There are 3 standard charges for NHS treatment 
  • You only pay one charge even if you need to visit more than once for a course of treatment.

Do I need to register with a dentist?

Dentists no longer need to register patients. Dentists now keep lists of regular patients and provide ongoing treatment and care.

How do I find an NHS dentist?

View a list of NHS dentists in Islington 

How can I find out about urgent and out of hours care?

NHS Islington is now responsible for urgent and out-of-hours dental services. Contact 020 7391 6365 between the hours of 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. weekdays and anytime during weekends or bank holidays. Or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

What if I can't find an NHS Dentist - what do I do?

If your dentist is not able to accept you back onto his/her NHS list, then you may still be offered treatment as a private patient. If this is not suitable NHS Direct, on 0845 46 47, will give you details of other dentists accepting NHS patients. You can also go to the website www.nhs.uk. In the dentists section you can search to find a dental practice that is accepting patients for NHS treatment.

What will my dentist do?

Your dentist should:

  • undertake a thorough examination of your mouth, teeth and gums
  • explain your treatment options and let you know what can be provided on the NHS or privately
  • make sure you know how much your NHS and/or private treatment will cost 
  • provide you with a written treatment plan (including costs) if you are receiving a mix of NHS and private care 
  • display a poster about NHS charges in the waiting room 
  • discuss with you how often you need to attend - if you have good oral health it's unlikely you will need a check up every six months
  • provide a leaflet with information about the practice and the services available.

From 1 April 2006, your dentist will NOT:

  • charge you for missed appointments - but if you continue to miss appointments they may decide not to offer you treatment 
  • accept children as NHS patients on condition that their parent, parents or guardian agree to sign up for private treatment.

Do I need to do anything?

Yes. You need to

  • give your dentist as much notice as possible if you have to cancel or change an appointment 
  • request a written treatment plan (including costs) if you would like one 
  • ask for information on your treatment options and how much it will cost 
  • ask about your oral health and how often you NEED to go to the dentist 
  • follow your dentist's advice to prevent tooth decay and gum disease 
  • pay your bill promptly.

To prevent tooth loss, decay and the need for treatment you can:

  • cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks 
  • stop smoking (Contact Smoking Cessation on 0800 093 90 30 
  • chew sugar-free gum – it stimulates saliva which stops your mouth drying out and can help to prevent dental decay and erosion.
  • visit your dentist at frequently as they advise.

What are the new patient charges?

If you normally pay for NHS dental treatment, there will be three standard charges. The amount you pay will depend on the treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy. You will pay one charge even if you need to visit more than once to complete a course of treatment.


There are only 3 levels of NHS charges and from April 2008 you pay only one of the following:

£16.20 includes an examination, diagnosis and preventative care. If necessary, this will include X-rays, scale and polish, and planning for further treatment. Urgent and out-of-hours care will also cost £16.20.
OR
£44.60 includes all necessary treatment covered by the £16.20 charge PLUS additional treatment such as fillings, root canal treatment or extractions.
OR
£198.00 includes all necessary treatment covered by the £16.20 and £44.60 charges PLUS more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges.

If you need more treatment at the same charge level (e.g. an additional filling) within two months of seeing your dentist, this will be free of charge.

Example courses of treatment

Examination, diagnosis, and preventive advice -  £16.20
Examination, diagnosis, and preventive advice and one or more fillings - £44.60
Examination, diagnosis, and preventive advice, one or more fillings and one or more crowns - £198.00

Note: you should ask your dentist how much your individual treatment plan will cost BEFORE they start your treatment. The dental practice may also ask you to pay before beginning your treatment. Charges increase in April every year.

There will be no charge for writing a prescription or for removing stitches. Usual charges apply when getting the prescription dispensed.

Will I still be entitled to free NHS dental treatment?

You will continue to receive free services from your NHS dentist if when the treatment starts you are:

  • aged under 18 
  • aged 18 in full-time education 
  • pregnant, or have had a baby in the 12 months before treatment starts
  • an NHS in-patient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
  • an NHS Hospital Dental Service out-patient* 
    when the treatment starts or when the charge is made: 
  • you are getting, or your partner gets Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • you are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate 
  • you are named on a valid HC2 certificate.

* There may be a charge for dentures and bridges.

Your dentist will ask for evidence that you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate you may be eligible for partial help with dental costs.

Use form HC1 to claim for full (HC2) or partial (HC3) help with NHS dental costs. HC1 forms are available from your Jobcentre Plus office or by calling 0845 8501166 or 08701 555 455.

The Benefit Enquiry Line is a telephone advice line offering general confidential information to people with disabilities, carers and representatives, about benefits that are available. You can ring the Benefit Enquiry line on 0800 882200.

For further information about credits call the Tax Credit helpline on 0845 300 3900 during working hours. More information on help with NHS charges is available from the Department of Health website.

If you have already paid your dentist and think you are entitled to a refund, ask your local Social Security office for form HC5 'Refund Claim Form'. Your dentist might have one too. The form tells you what to do. You will need to send a receipt to show that you have paid for NHS treatment and claims must be received within three months of paying for the health cost. Your dentist will not be able to give you a refund directly.

If you have any queries about completing these forms, call the Prescription Pricing Authority's Health Benefits Division Customer Enquiry line on 0191 203 5555, or write to them at Bridge House, 152 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6SN.

The HC11 leaflet called ‘Are You Entitled To Help with Health Costs' from the Department of Health website. The leaflet is also available from main post offices.

Will my dentist still provide some private care or children-only services?

Your dentist may still provide a mixture of NHS and private care. The NHS services your dentist provides will depend on local needs and the contract they agree with your Primary Care Trust.

This may mean that some dentists continue to provide children-only NHS services. However, a dentist may not accept children as NHS patients on condition that their parent(s) or guardian agrees to sign up for private treatment.

What treatment will be available from NHS dentists?

All clinically necessary treatments and dentures will still be available on the NHS - i.e. treatment that is necessary to secure and maintain your oral health.

If you want, or your dentist suggests, treatment that is purely cosmetic (for example, tooth whitening, large white fillings or white crowns on back teeth), you can decide to have this treatment done privately. You should ask your dentist how much this will cost in addition to charges for NHS treatment.

As now, you can agree with your dentist to have some of your treatment provided privately.

What should I do if I have toothache?

If you have toothache, it is important that you go to see your dentist as soon as possible. If toothache is left untreated, it may develop into an infection.

Treatment for toothache depends on what is causing the problem:

  • if toothache is caused by tooth decay, the dentist will take out the decayed area and replace it with a filling, 
  • for toothache that is caused by a loose or broken filling, the filling is taken out, any new decay is cleaned out, and a new filling is put in, 
  • if the pulp of the tooth is infected (pulpitis), you may need to have root canal treatment. Your dentist (or a specialist called an endodontist) takes out the decayed pulp, fills the space with a paste, and covers the tooth with a crown to protect and seal it,
  • if the tooth has become infected, you may need to take antibiotics.

If toothache cannot be treated by these methods, or if the tooth is impacted (wedged between another tooth and the jaw), it may need to be taken out altogether. While you are waiting for an appointment with your dentist,
to ease the pain can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. You should also try to avoid very hot or cold foods as they can make the pain worse.

Speak to your phamacist for advice about the best painkiller but make sure you make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.

How often should I go to the dentist?

The National Health Service has introduced guidelines on how often patients need to go to the dentist. Your dentist will recommend a date for your next visit based on your individual oral health needs. This means:

  • people with higher treatment needs may need to attend more often than before
  • people with good oral health may only need to attend once every 12 to 24 months.

You should follow your dentist's advice on how often you need to attend. If you would like to attend more frequently than is required to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you will need to pay for this treatment privately.

Will a dentist visit me at home?

If you are unable to visit a general dentist because for example, you have a disability, it is possible to arrange for a dentist to visit your home. Those dentists who are prepared to offer a home visit are shown in the list (see page 10)

What should I do if I have particular needs?

If you are unable to visit a general dentist because for example, you have a disability, you need to contact the community dental service. Contact Patient Advice and Complaints, or see page 8 for details of the community dental service leaflet.

What should I do if I need an interpreter?

If you need a language or sign language interpreter the dental practice can arrange one for you. Contact the dental practice and let them know what you need. If you have problems getting an interpreter contact Patient Advice and Complaints, or see page 8 for details of the community dental service leaflet.

How do I complain about my dental treatment?

If you wish to make a complaint about the care or service provided by your NHS dentist or dental practice, contact the person responsible for complaints at the dental practice. You can make your complaint verbally to the practice or in writing and you should receive a written response from the practice within ten working days.

Your dentist will try to resolve your complaint at this stage. If you are not happy with the way in which the dental practice has responded you can contact the Healthcare Commission. You will be told how to contact the Healthcare Commision in the written response you get from the practice.

The Patient Advice and Complaints Service at NHS Islington can support you in making a complaint.

For independent advice and advocacy when making a complaint

If you want advice from an organisation outside the NHS, contact the Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service (ICAS) on 0845 120 3784.

For general information about health services in Islington contact the Patient Advice and Complaints Service at NHS Islington.

For more information about dental services and maintaining oral health

Ask your dental practice or try: