Changing dentists as an NHS patient
If you’re changing NHS dentists, there may be a waiting list that you need to join before completing your registration.There is currently a shortage of NHS dentists in the UK,which has been exacerbated by the recent Covid 19 pandemic.
If you need to join a waiting list because there is no room for new NHS patients at your new practice, you may be asked to fill out the registration paperwork at this point. However, depending on the practice, this paperwork may be requested once you are formally accepted as a patient.
If you’re changing dentists within a practice, you would not normally need to fill out any new paperwork, as your records can simply be switched over internally to the new dentist.
You also need to ensure all payments have been made for treatment that has already been carried out.
With NHS dentists,you are not bound to a specific catchment area like you are with a GP. You can choose any convenient dental practice that is currently accepting NHS dental patients. You should give a potential new practice a call to see if they are open to new NHS patients at the moment, or whether there is a waiting list you need to join first.
If you’re changing dentists because you are unhappy about the care you have received from them, you may want to make a complaint. Your dentist should be able to provide a copy of their complaints procedure. You usually have up to one year to make a formal complaint against your dentist –more information about this can be found on our complaints page.
However, if you’d like to go straight to making a dental negligence claim, you don’t need to make a formal complaint first.Simply fill in our online contact form and we’ll get the process started.
Changing dentists as a private patient
Changing dentists as a private patient is often easier than changing to an NHS dentist. Some patients previously registered at NHS surgeries are now choosing to go private because they’ve been unable to find a new NHS dentist.
If you would like to sign up with a new private dentist, you should follow the same steps as you would for an NHS dentist. You’ll want to contact local dentist surgeries in your area to see if they’re taking on new patients. Once you’ve found a new dentist, you’ll need to complete an application form and let your old dentist know that you are leaving.
You’ll also want to ensure all payments have been completed for treatment at your old dentist.If you have private dental insurance, you’ll need to check whether your new surgery is covered by it, as well as working out the costs involved.
Your new dentist will be able to communicate with your old dentist to source your dental records from the past two years.
