Special Care Dental Service

• We are a referral service and have four clinics based at Watford, Letchworth, Hemel Hempstead and Hoddesdon. All our experienced dentists and dental nurses aim to provide dentistry in a calm and non-threatening environment. We work hard to ensure that our patients feel safe and that they have a pleasant experience when they come to see us.
• We operate a general anaesthetic service at The Lister Hospital in Stevenage
• All our clinics offer inhalation sedation and IV sedation is available at Hemel Hempstead and Hoddesdon clinics
• We offer Domiciliary dentistry for patients who are unable to leave their homes
• We provide school screenings at special needs schools.
• Our team of oral health educators are passionate about improving our patient’s oral health and work with patients, carers and families in our clinics and within our Domiciliary service.

• Wheelchair users unable to transfer to the dental chair without the use of a hoist.
• Adults and Children with a diagnosed moderate/severe learning disability who cannot be managed in general dental practice.
• Adults and Children with a diagnosed moderate/severe mental health problem who cannot be managed in general dental practice.
• Adults and Children with complex medical conditions not manageable in general dental practice.

• The dentist will ask you questions about your health and examine your teeth. 
• With your permission, the dentist may take x-ray pictures of your teeth.
• The dentist will talk to you about your dental needs and agree a treatment plan with you that you are both happy with.
• The dentist will talk to you about your diet and how best to look after your teeth to minimise any future dental problems.
• The dental staff will make you a further appointment to begin your dental treatment if needed.

The British Dental Health Foundation is a charity dedicated to raising public awareness of dental and oral health and promoting good dental health practices - www.dentalhealth.org.uk

Have you heard of the Local Offer?  If you are a young person with, or have a child with special educational needs and disabilities, (SEND) the Local Offer is Hertfordshire’s central source of information for SEND services and support. Visit www.hertsdirect.org/localoffer for an easily accessible one stop shop.

Purple Star Strategy – health services for people with learning disabilities
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/adult-social-services/disability/learning-disabilities/my-health/purple-star-health-services-for-people-with-learning-disabilities.aspx

Healthwatch Hertfordshire is the independent consumer voice for health and social care in Hertfordshire
https://www.healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk/

If you are eligible for our service then you can ask your dentist to make a referral or appropriate referrals will be accepted from all healthcare workers.

If you are a General Dental Practitioner, please sign up in order to process all referrals at the following website: http://www.dental-referrals.org/dentists/signup

If you have any questions regarding the referral services for dentistry then please email: d.referrals@nhs.net where one of the team will be happy to help you.

If you would like to share your story, please contact the Patient Experience team on 01707 388036 or email pals.hchs@nhs.net.

We would also love to hear about your experience on our service, please complete a survey by clicking the link below.
If the service user is a child, please click here.
If the service use is an adult, please click here.