We are part of the George Eliot Trust Community services.
Our Vision is to improve the oral health of patients with additional needs in Warwickshire by providing holistic and innovative care from dedicated and compassionate staff.
Our aim is to provide dental care for people of any age who have additional needs that make it difficult for them to access a family dentist.
We offer dental care for adults with severe disability, physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical, emotional or social impairment or disability. As well as for children with behavioural problems, special needs, complex medical problems, dental anxiety and extractions with sedation or general anaesthetic.
Dental Officers
Dental officers carry out a full examination of your mouth, teeth and gums and treat patients accompanied by a dental nurse in surgery or where patients resides
They will provide:
Comprehensive care for people of all ages who have special needs and/or who are medically compromised
Care for people who have found difficulty in accessing general dental services
Specialist services, such as sedation and general anaesthetics
Screening of school children and other groups as part of epidemiology
Dental Nurses
Support of members of the dental team and patients in surgery or where patients resides to:
help the dentist to make the patient feel comfortable and at ease
assist the dentist and therapist with dental treatments
take responsibility for the decontamination of instruments
maintaining dental operating equipment
ensuring that all relevant materials and supplies are in place
We also have Specialist Nurses within our service who leads the following areas; Oral Health, Epidemiology, General Anaesthetic and Sedation
Dental Therapists
A Dental Therapist carries out certain types of dental treatment either direct to patients, or under a dentist's prescription in the NHS.
This includes:
administering inhalation sedation (happy air)
place pre-formed crowns on primary teeth (baby teeth)
carry out treatments such as fillings and extractions
place fissure sealants and fluoride varnish
treat gum disease
scale and polish teeth
educate patients on oral health and diet
Booking and Access team
Our clinical teams are supported by the Booking and Access team, based at our headquarters in Leamington.
The Booking and Access team are our first point of contact for patients, carers and other health care professionals.
The Booking and Access team process and maintain all urgent and routine referrals to our service, assist with patient enquiries, as well as scheduling appointments and monitoring the email systems.
The Booking team will also arrange domiciliary visits and interpreters to attend appointments where appropriate.
General Anaesthetic and Sedation Specialist Nurses
Domiciliary care provides dental care to patients in their home, when, due to their additional needs, they are unable to attend a clinic appointment.
Mental Health
Our experienced dental teams work with patients, and those who support them, to ensure they maintain their oral health and receive dental care in a caring and understanding environment. With recognised links between mental health conditions and the effect on oral health, the Special Care Dental Service provides specialist care for those that cannot access care from their general dental practitioner.
Dental Anxiety and Phobia
Patients with high levels of anxiety may be referred to our service by their regular dentist. Upon referral, a patient’s anxiety levels will be assessed by means of a questionnaire. If accepted for care, this will be discussed with patients at their first appointment and treatment will be planned to reduce anxiety levels and build confidence to accept treatment in the future. We understand that patients may take several appointments to overcome their fears and can take the time needed to complete treatment.
Treatment for anxiety at the dentist:
In most cases, patients will be offered one course of treatment with our service. Once the treatment is complete, patients will be discharged back to their referring, routine regular dentist for continuing care. Dental anxiety/phobia can be described as fear, anxiety or stress when placed in a dental setting. This can mean patients avoid or delay receiving dental treatment which has a negative impact on their oral health. Our experienced staff are able to support and reassure these patients.
Medically Compromised
Patients who are medically compromised may have difficulty in accessing dental care and could require specialist care due to their complex medical history for example; Cancer, Stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), some viral diseases such as Hepatitis C and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Dementia.
Learning Disabilities
People with learning disabilities may have poor oral health due to cognitive, physical and behavioral factors. Our service is able to provide additional support their oral to ensure patients are able to access appropriate oral health care and advice
There are three NHS charge bands:
Band 1: £26.80 ​covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish and planning for further treatment.
Band 2: £73.50 covers all treatment covered by Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions).
Band 3: £319.10 covers all treatment covered by Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges.
Our clinics no longer accept cash. Payment for dental charges can be made via credit/debit card or bank transfer'
You do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment if, when your treatment starts, you are:
under 18
under 19 and in full-time education
pregnant or you’ve had a baby within the 12 months before treatment starts
You can also get free NHS dental treatment if, when the treatment starts or when you’re asked to pay:
you’re included in an award of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit or Universal credit (check entitlement after October 31 2015)
you’re named on, or entitled to, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
you’re named on a valid HC2 certificate
If you're named on a valid HC3 certificate, you may not have to pay for all your NHS dental treatment. HC2 and HC3 certificates are issued under the NHS Low Income Scheme
If you receive any of the following benefits you will not be exempt from paying for NHS dental treatment unless you also fall under one of the categories listed above:
Incapacity Benefit
contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit
Pension Credit savings credit
Proof of your entitlement You’ll be asked to show your dentist written proof that you’re entitled to financial help with dental treatment. This will vary depending on your circumstances. To check what documents you need, see the NHS HC11 leaflet: Help with health costs
NHS Low Income Scheme
The NHS Low Income Scheme provides financial help to people not exempt from charges, but who may be entitled to full or partial help with healthcare costs if they have a low income. Anyone can apply as long as they don’t have savings or investments over the capital limit. In England, the capital limit is £16,000 (or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home).The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website has more information about the NHS Low Income Scheme, including how to apply
The Warwickshire Special Care Dental Service is a member of the Coventry and Warwickshire Dementia Action Alliance. Many of our staff have completed their Dementia Friends training and have experience of working with people with Dementia.
Mouth Cancer Action
To find out more information about mouth cancer and Mouth Cancer Action Month, please visitwww.mouthcancer.org
Friends & Family Test Results (July - September 2022)
Warwickshire Special Care Dental Service is expected to submit Friends and Family Test results via Compass on a monthly basis.
In line with George Eliot Hospital (GEH), patients are now being asked the FFT question via a text messaging service. All patients attending as an emergency or completing a Band 2 or 3 course of treatment are contacted.
