ADP is committed to providing a high quality NHS Dental Service while improving access to treatments for all patients.

What is available under the new NHS system?

The new NHS system, announced in 2006, enables you to receive all the treatment clinically necessary for your oral health.

Scaling and Polishing

Recent evidence has shown that up to 80% of patients receive no health benefit from routine scaling and polishing. Moreover, the most effective health gain for patients with mildly bleeding gums (gingivitis) arises from education, training in tooth brushing and regular interproximal plaque removal (floss or interdental brushes). You will receive an individual gum health assessment from your ADP dentists and all the treatment clinically necessary for your oral health. Where gum disease is severe (periodontitis), a specific course of preventive treatment and professional cleaning will be provided, together with a maintenance programme. Please note,  in a change to previous policy, in the case of a healthy mouth, stain and visible tartar removal may need to be provided as an upgrade to NHS care. To help you to keep your mouth as clean as you would wish, most ADP practices have access to hygienist services.

Dental Charges

As part of the NHS system, patient charges are related to courses of treatment rather than on a fee per item basis. If you are eligible to pay charges you will pay a set fee for the complete course of NHS treatment regardless of the number of items or appointments necessary to complete that treatment. These courses of treatment will fall into three bands. Each band has an associated charge which will cover the whole course of treatment. The appropriate course of treatment and cost of the treatment will be discussed with you and a treatment plan agreed with your ADP Dentist. The bands and the associated NHS fee is shown below:

Under the new scheme, payment for the whole course of treatment will be required, in full, at the first appointment. No further appointments will be booked until payment has been made to cover the full cost for the course of the treatment as discussed and agreed with the Dentist.

Exempt Patients

The current arrangements for exempt patients will not change. Exempt patients will be required to show their exempt documentation at the first appointment. The current exemptions (including for children) will not change under the new arrangements. Our practice staff will be able to assist with any enquires you have regarding payment exemptions.

Failure to attend (FTAs)

Under the new NHS contract, if a patient is unable to attend an NHS appointment and fails to notify the practice, it is no longer possible to charge an FTA fee. However, to prevent the waste of valuable clinical time, every practice has the right to deregister a patient for failing to give sufficient notice (24 hours) or failing to attend an appointment.

ADP’s policy is as follows:

Failing to attend two appointments, or failing to give more than 24 hours notice of cancellation (unless the patient can demonstrate an acceptable reason for the cancellation) on two occasions, will lead to automatic deregistration from the practice. Surgery time is very valuable and we ask patients to allow the appointment to be offered to another patient by giving us sufficient notice. Please note that FTA fees will continue to be charged for appointments which are for private treatment upgrades.

Out of hours emergency treatment

As part of the new NHS system, Primary Care Trusts (PCT) are required to provide access to out-of-hours emergency treatment. You will still need to telephone the emergency number advertised in the practice. This number will give further information on how to access the service being provided by the PCT. This service is likely to be at a location away from the practice.

Check-ups

Recent guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has indicated that the standard 6 monthly check up period may not be appropriate in most cases. Future recalls will be based on individual clinical needs and may be as long as 18 months apart.

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