Service Information

Service Information

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• QCommunity Dental Service guide for new patients

  Introduction

  The Community Dental Service (CDS) is part of Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust. It provides NHS dental treatment for children and adults who, for various reasons, cannot receive the treatment they need in a general dental practice.

  Most of our patients have additional needs. These can be physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical, emotional or social impairment, or more often a combination of these. Therefore all our dental suites have a range of facilities to make sure they are fully accessible.

  New patient appointments

  We are a referral-only service, which means that a health or social care professional (such as a family dentist, doctor or health visitor) would have referred you to us for an assessment.

  Along with this leaflet is a letter giving you the date, time, and place of your first appointment. Please read it carefully. If you need help to do this or have any questions please call our central booking team: 0113 392 9875.

  What happens if I cannot attend?

  If you are not able to keep your appointment, please let us know as soon as you can so that we can offer the appointment to someone else. Missed appointments mean wasted time and money.

  If you need to cancel your appointment, you must try to tell us at least 24 hours before. If you cancel twice in a row you may be discharged from our service.

  Important

  If you don’t come to your first appointment you will be discharged from our service. We will let the person who referred you know and, if appropriate, the Safeguarding Team. If you still need an appointment you must ask to be referred to us again and we will add you back on to our waiting list.

  How to find us

  • Middleton Health Centre, Acre Close, Middleton, Leeds, LS10 4HT
  • The Reginald Centre, 263 Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 3EX
  • Yeadon Health Centre, 17 South View Road, Leeds, LS19 7PS

  Getting to the clinic

  All our clinics have parking and bus stops close by. Here is some information that may help you get to us if you do not have your own transport:

  • If you usually use hospital transport, you can get this by asking your doctor’s surgery.
  • Public transport. Metro:113 245 7676 www.wymetro.com
  • If you use the Access Bus to go shopping, you may be able to use it to get to your dental appointment: 0113 3481903.
  • Contact a local voluntary agency that may provide a voluntary drive scheme: 0113 391 8333 www.leedsdirectory.org
  • Leeds Alternative Travel can provide a service for those who find it hard to use taxis or public transport. Drivers are trained to help passengers from door to door: 0113 386 8880 www.yourcar.org.uk

  If you receive the high rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement you must use this to pay for your transport costs to clinic.

  If you are on a low income you may be able to get help with travel costs, keep receipts and records of your journeys and see www.nhs.uk for information on how to claim for a refund.

  Getting ready for your first appointment

  • You must fill in the medical history questionnaire that is with your appointment letter. Bring the questionnaire and a list of all the medicines you take to your appointment.
  • If you need an interpreter or any other support / adjustments for your appointment please call the central booking team on 0113 392 9875
  • If you need to use a hoist to transfer onto the dental chair, please bring your own sling with you and we will check if it can be used with our equipment.
  • If you have a traffic light / hospital assessment or child health record please bring this with you to the appointment.
  • If you are accompanying a child to their appointment you must have parental responsibility / be able to make legal decisions about their dental treatment.
  • If you will be coming with a carer they must know you and your medical / dental needs so they can give us extra information about you if we need it. Your carer will need to stay with you in the clinic during your appointment.

  What happens after this appointment?

  If you need more appointments the dental receptionist will book these for you at the clinic most suitable to carry out your treatment.

  The dentist may decide that we cannot treat you. If this happens we will discharge you and let the person who referred you know.

  When we have finished your treatment, unless you are unable to attend a general dental practice, you will be discharged. You therefore need to stay registered with your usual dentist who will continue to see you for your routine check-ups and treatment.

  NHS charges and exemptions

  Our service is not free, if you usually pay for dental treatment we will ask to make a payment before you go in to see the dentist. Depending on your treatment you may need to make more payments until the cost is covered. Full payment must be made by the end of your course of treatment within a maximum of 4 payments. The posters in our waiting rooms show current NHS dental charges.

  If you don’t pay for dental treatment you must bring ‘proof of exemption’ to your first appointment. Please read the information on the back of your appointment letter for details of exemptions. If you are on a low income you may be able to get help with your dental cost. Ask for an HC11 ‘Help with health costs’ leaflet from our clinic receptionist, or visit www.nhs.uk and search for ‘help with health costs’.

  Urgent treatment and out of hours care

  If you need urgent treatment to relieve pain or stop your dental problem getting worse before your appointment with us, please contact your own dentist. If you do not have a dentist, or it is outside normal opening hours, call NHS Direct 111.
  Patient identifiable information

  Information about you is always treated as confidential. Sometimes, in order to provide safe, high quality care, the dental team may need to talk with other professionals looking after you (e.g. other dentists, doctors, nurses or social care professionals). Wherever possible, we will only share information with your consent. Whenever we use your personal information we will always follow the Data Protection Act guidelines.

• QImportant information for patients with cold sores

  The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a common and highly infectious virus which causes cold sores. The virus can be easily transmitted through contact with the cold sore and infected saliva.

  People carrying the herpes virus usually only suffer outbreaks of cold sores when ill, stressed or following exposure to the sun. The most infectious stage of a cold sore is when it is a blister or if it is broken open or bleeding.

  Routine dental treatment

  Guidelines are in place to ensure the risk of spread of infection is kept to a minimum. All dental staff are aware of the guidance of treating patients with HSV-1 and have a duty to prevent and control infections.

  HSV-1 is easily spread e.g. by stretching of the mouth during dental treatment which can irritate the condition and cause the breakdown of blisters and bleeding. The virus can then be easily spread to other areas of skin or eyes, even surviving outside the body on door handles and surfaces for several hours. To eliminate the risk to both dental patients and dental staff, it is recommended that appointments for routine dental treatment are rebooked after the cold sore has completely disappeared.

  Emergency / urgent dental treatment

  A patient requiring emergency dental care should not be denied it, but until the cold sore is healed, the dental team should take care to prevent the spread of the virus.

  As with all dental treatment, dental staff are required to wear appropriate protective clothing (masks, gloves, glasses and disposable aprons) to reduce the risk of cross infection. They also carry out routine clinic cleaning, including wiping of door handles and surfaces etc, before and after each patient.

  Key points

  • Cold sores are highly infectious and easily transmitted
  • If you have a cold sore please contact the dental clinic to rebook your appointment
  • Do not attend the dental surgery until after the cold sore has completely disappeared
  • Patients requiring emergency dental treatment will still be seen but we ask that you inform the clinic of your cold sore
  • If you have any questions or concerns relating to HSV-1 please contact the dental clinic as soon as possible

   

• QThe Mobile Dental Chair for wheelchair and bariatric patients

  The Diaco Dental Chair

  The diaco dental chair is a fully mobile platform designed specifically for wheelchair and bariatric patients. The chair is suitable for manual and electric wheelchairs and will safely hold a maximum combined weight of 1100lbs/500kgs.

  The benefits of the chair 

  The diaco chair allows us to increase the range of treatment we can offer to patients who are unable to use a standard dental chair. Our patients are able to remain in their own wheelchair at all times eliminating the need for manual handling, slings and hoisting. This not only makes it more comfortable but also safer and easier for patients and our clinical staff.

  The fully adjustable head and back rest allows the patient to be reclined to the same position as a standard dental chair, this allows the dental team to work in the correct position ensuring that the patient is able to receive the best possible oral care.

  Patient review

  Following treatment in the diaco chair one patient commented: 

  “I backed up onto the platform in my wheelchair, applied my brakes and then had a headrest positioned behind my head. The platform which I was now on, still in my wheelchair, tilted backwards slowly and safely. I felt very secure. The best thing for me was being able to stay in my own wheelchair. I have to sit on a special gel cushion to ensure I have no pressure points on my skin, this is one thing that most paralysed people fear the most. Sitting on my own cushion in my own wheelchair is so reassuring, for me it eliminated this and so many other fears.

  The tilting of the chair is smooth, it felt safe and I can see so many more disabled people now willing, and able, to visit the dentist.”

• QRelative Analgesia (Inhalation Sedation) for Dental Treatment

  It is very common for people of all ages to be a little nervous about having dental treatment. Inhalation sedation is one of the simplest ways to make the whole process as easy and as comfortable as possible. If your dentist feels that you would benefit from treatment with inhalation sedation, and has agreed with you that this is the best way to manage your dental care, they will refer you to the appropriate clinic. The clinic will then contact you to arrange an appointment.

  What is inhalation sedation?

  Inhalation sedation involves breathing in a mixture of nitrous oxide (“happy air”) and oxygen. This is done through a rubber mask that fits comfortably over your nose therefore allowing dental work to be carried out at the same time. Inhalation sedation does not put you to sleep, you will still be aware of the surroundings and the dental treatment taking place, but you will be in a relaxed state making treatment easier and more comfortable.

  Who can benefit from inhalation sedation?

  Patients may benefit from inhalation sedation if they:

  • are moderately anxious or fearful of dental treatment
  • are anxious about injections
  • require dental extractions that might cause increased anxiety
  • have a gag reflex that interferes with dental care.

  Are there any risks with inhalation sedation?

  This is a safe process that can be used on most patients with increased anxiety, any risks are relatively minor for example:

  • You must be able to breathe properly through your nose, if you are not breathing properly for any reason, i.e. you have a cold, you may not be able to be sedated.
  • If you are pregnant you must let the dentist know as sedation would be best avoided, particularly in the first trimester.
  • Very occasionally patients may feel sick or vomit, this is why it is important that you do not have a heavy meal immediately before your appointment. However, a light meal or snack should be eaten TWO hours before your appointment.
  • Rarely there are temporary side effects to your hearing and possible vertigo (dizziness). But this is only seen with prolonged exposure and is very uncommon.

  Are there any special precautions before treatment?

  • A light meal or snack should be eaten two hours before treatment. You must not come to your appointment starved.
  • Any regular medicines or tablets should be taken as usual. Please make sure you inform us if you are taking any new medications.
  • Contact lenses should not be worn during the appointment. Your eyes may feel dry and sore if the rubber mask on your nose is not fitting quite well.
  • Nail varnish and jewellery should not be worn.
  • It will be necessary to sign a consent form for treatment therefore
    children should be brought by a parent/guardian who has legal
    responsibility to sign consent.
  • It is best to avoid bringing (other) children to this appointment as they can cause distraction to an already nervous patient.

  What will happen at my first inhalation sedation appointment?

  At your first appointment the dentist will need to check and discuss the proposed plan, you will need to give your consent to carry out any treatment. You will be shown the “happy air” equipment and be invited to try it. Dental treatment is not usually started on the first visit.

  Does the tooth still need ‘numbing’ for treatment?

  Yes it does. This is to make the treatment as comfortable and as acceptable as possible. Hopefully, over time, as you become more familiar with the treatment, you should be able to accept local anaesthetic and treatment without inhalation sedation.

  After your inhalation sedation appointment

  Although you will be fully recovered on leaving the surgery, we advise the following:

  • You should not return to work/school that day.
  • You should have an adult with you to accompany you home.
  • Children who have had inhalation sedation should be supervised for the rest of the day. Do not allow your child to climb, ride a bike or cross roads alone.
  • Adults who have had inhalation sedation are advised not to drive directly after their appointment.
  • Your lips and tongue may still be numb after the local anaesthetic. While you are still experiencing numbness take care not to bite your cheeks or tongue and do not have hot drinks or food.