Public Dental Service - Adult: Special Care

Referral Criteria for Special Care Patients (>16 years old)
• Medically Compromised
• Learning Disabilities /Cognitive Impairment
• Physical / Mobility Problems
• Mental Health
• Dental Anxiety
• Care Homes/ Domiciliary care
• Bariatric

Referrals are accepted for adults with a range of complex additional needs that seriously affect the provision of dental care. Patients accepted for treatment may receive a full course of treatment or certain elements of care in conjunction with their GDP. The referring GDP continues to be responsible for urgent dental care, preventative advice and recall, unless otherwise agreed.

Patients may also be seen on a shared-care basis with the GDP.

Patients who can only attend premises via patient transport can be seen at Broxden, Kings Cross, Whitehills or Springfield. There are wheelchair platforms and bariatric facilities at Broxden, Kings Cross and Springfield.

Please do not refer ‘patients who cannot recline’ unless there is another Special Care issue.

In all cases, the initial appointment will be for assessment only. Treatment plans or modalities should not be agreed in advance as these may lead to unrealistic expectations on the patient’s part.

Domiciliary care –If you feel that a patient is no longer suitable for treatment in general dental practice, you should refer to PDS but be aware that there is an extensive waiting list for routine domiciliary care. Until the patient gets to the top of that list and is seen by a PDS dentist, when registration will move from the GDP to PDS, the GDP practice will retain responsibility for emergency domiciliary care.

Care Homes – PDS have recommenced screening visits to care homes. All GDP’s in Tayside were sent a letter advising them of this and asking them to contact PDS if they have any registered patients now living in care homes that they wish to retain registration for. They would then be responsible for emergency and routine domiciliary care.

PDS accept referrals from residents of Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross and North Fife.

Referrals are NOT accepted for patients who live outside this area, but whose GDP is located within Tayside.

Please send all referrals to PDS via SCI Gateway and attach all relevant radiographs and clinical photographs. Please give as much information as possible. Failure to complete all relevant fields will delay the referral process. Please provide a current phone number for the patient.

Select – new message – Tayside – Tayside Dental Service – Special Care.
Choose location ( Broxden (Perth), Springfield (Arbroath), Kings Cross (Dundee) or follow the Dundee Dental Hospital guidance if you wish to refer to DDH Special Care Services.

Please indicate whether it may be necessary to send a duplicate appointment eg to Carer, Social Worker, Welfare Power of Attorney etc