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Choosing
your dentist
You
can get lists of dentists from:
- Health
and Social Services Councils;
- Health
and Social Services Boards;
- Central
Services Agency; and
- Yellow
Pages.
Always
check that the dentist you contact will treat you on the
NHS, if not you can contact your Health and Social Services
Board for suggestions. For more information ask the dentist
for a copy of their practice leaflet.
Registration
- You
.will need a medical card issued in Northern Ireland to
register.
- To
obtain a medical card you need to complete form HSS22X
(available from your Doctor's surgery or the Central Services
Agency).
- Your
registration will end after 15 months if you have not
attended your dentist.
- It
is important to keep your registration up to date.
Treatment
plan
After
your checkup ask your dentist for a treatment plan. The
plan will tell you:
- what
treatment you need;
- how
much it will cost; and
- what
treatment is not covered by the NHS.
When
you sign the treatment plan you agree to the treatment and
the costs. Your dentist will give you a copy of this plan.
Free
Treatment
You
can get free treatment if you are:
- under
18;
- under
19 and still in full-time education;
- pregnant
or have had a baby within the last 12 months;
- receiving
certain benefits; or
- on
a low income.
Leaflet
HC II which you can get from social security offices, post
offices or the Central Services Agency, gives more details.
Infection
Control
- All
instruments should be sterilised each time they are used.
- Your
dentist and the assistants should normally wear gloves,
masks and eye protection.
- Your
dentist should offer safety goggles to protect your eyes
during treatment.
Emergencies
If
you are registered with a dentist, they will provide emergency
cover. If there is an emergency, you should phone the surgery
for advice.
Home
visits
If
you can't get to the dentist and you live within five miles
of the surgery, your dentist may visit you at home. There
is no extra charge for this.
Changing
dentists
You
can change your dentist at any time. Cancel any appointment
you have with your existing dentist and ask for a note of
any treatment you may need to finish your present course
of treatment.
If
things go wrong
- If
you can't keep an appointment, tell your dentist as soon
as possible.
- Your
dentist will repair or replace, free of charge, certain
items of NHS work if they go wrong within 12 months.
- If
you are not satisfied with your treatment, talk to your
dentist first.
You
have a right to take your complaint further. For more information
on how to complain, contact your Health and Social Services
Council.
You
have a right to be treated politely with respect for your
privacy and dignity.
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