Neidio i'r prif gynnwy

Dentist


NHS General Dental Services

From 1 April 2023, NHS dental practices can choose to take the amendments to the new dental contract or go back to the old dental contract. In Gwent, around 51% of NHS dental practices have decided to take the new Contract. When you go for your next dental appointment, you can ask what contract the practice follows.

Listed below are the changes patients will notice if the dental practice has chosen to amend the new dental contract:

  • Once a year a patient undergoes a dental risk assessment as part of an examination. This is called ACORN and you will be notified if the score is Green, Amber or Red. The dental team will discuss the findings with you and explain how you can improve your mouth health to improve your score to be Green. Your ACORN score will also help determine when a member of the dental team should see you again.

Sometimes your ACORN score may change and the time between audits may be longer or shorter. The dental team will advise on this. By supporting dentists to set your callback break, it enables you to receive appropriate care, based on your individual needs.

  • All adults rated Amber or Red for tooth decay will be advised to have fluoride varnish installed by the dental team to try to prevent further tooth decay.
  • All children over the age of 3 and under 3 with an Amber or Red rating for tooth decay are advised to obtain fluoride varnish on all inspection appointments.
  • Each week the practice accepts new patients. The number of new patients will depend on the size of the contract
  • Each week the practice will be able to offer urgent appointments to new patients

If you have been seen by a practice for a routine course of treatment since April 2019, then the practice can see you as a patient or have an urgent dental problem.

 

NHS Orthodontic Services

The Welsh Government has written to all NHS orthodontic practices to let them know what types of patients they can provide orthodontic care.

Prior to the COVID19 pandemic, patients were assessed for orthodontic care using the Orthodontic Treatment Need Index. if the score was 3.6 or higher, then NHS orthodontic care could be provided. This is still the case, but orthodontic practices must now prioritise those patients with a score of 4 or more and include anyone on a waiting list.

Orthodontic practices work hard to assess patients requiring orthodontic treatment and start treatment. The orthodontic practice will contact referred patients in due course when they are able to offer an appointment.


Urgent care

If you have a dental problem that has not improved with painkillers, a dental infection or lump, inflammation or ulcer that has not gone away after two weeks, it is advisable to call your dental practice.

If you do not attend dental practice regularly, please contact the Dental Helpline on 01633 744387, which is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am-12:15pm and 1:15pm-4:00pm. Patients should be notified that if they call the Dental Helpline for emergency dental care in the evening (6.30pm-8am) they will only receive advice as there are currently no dental appointments available. During weekends and Bank Holidays patients can also contact the Dental Helpline where a limited number of emergency appointments are available at Clytha Clinic, Newport and/or advice can be obtained.

Patients can also visit their local community pharmacy to request pain relief and advice on over-the-counter medication.