GPs can refer adult and child patients to the Special Care Dental Service under the following criteria:
Adults
- Moderate or severe learning difficulties and/or challenging behaviour
- Autistic spectrum disorder
- Severe mental health problems, including dementia
- Severely medically compromised
- Severe physical disability (e.g. need hoist transfer)
- Post head and neck oncology patients
- Palliative and end of life care
- Home visits for housebound patients unable to access a general dental practitioner
- Phobic or highly anxious patients – details of attempted treatment to date will be required
- General anaesthetic for comprehensive dental care that cannot be done under local anaesthetic or sedation
- Treatment under IV or inhalation sedation
- Bariatric service
Children
- Learning difficulties
- Autistic spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Mental health and psychological disorders, including anorexia and bulimia
- Complex physical disabilities
- Very anxious and phobic children – details of attempted treatment to date will be required
- Very young children with extensive decay
- Orthodontic extractions where sedation is required
- Treatment under inhalation sedation
- Intravenous sedation where deemed necessary for those 14 years and above
Completed referral forms can be sent in via email.
Last reviewed: 07 April 2025