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.
• Patients with a diagnosed moderate/severe learning disability who cannot be managed in general dental practice.
• Patients with a diagnosed moderate/severe mental health problem who cannot be managed in general dental practice.
• Patients 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.

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.

The forms can be obtained by calling 01582 714190 and all dentists can access the forms via Hertfordshire Local Dental Committee website.

Please return completed forms to:
Harpenden Memorial Hospital
Carlton Road
Harpenden
AL5 4TA

Once received both referrer and patient will be contacted. Medical and dental history forms and a legally required practice record form detailing NHS charge exemption status will be sent to the patient for completion. (Standard NHS dental charges apply to all non exempt patients).

Once completed forms have been returned, the patient will be put on the waiting list of the clinic nearest to their home address and contacted with an appointment as soon as possible.

Non-dentist referral form
Dentist referral form
Domiciliary Dental Treatment request form

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.