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.

You can watch a video of one of our team members providing oral health education here.

Our Teams

The Hemel Team

“You will pass on my thanks won’t you to everyone. When I was at work we used to say about going the extra mile. Well everyone here today, the whole team, that was really going the mile and thank you.”

The Watford Team

“The help and compassion you have shown has been excellent. I could not thank you more for everything you have done for me. This is a fantastic service.”

The Hoddesdon Team

“I cannot thank you enough for the care compassion respect and professionalism you have given to * from the first meeting. * has often been judged by the medical profession due to his illness and you have all restored my faith in the NHS.”

The Letchworth Team

“I cannot thank you enough for your support. As a Nurse I have worked across the board when it comes to children and adults with learning disabilities and I have never come across two excellent clinicians like yourselves. How amazing is it to have two people dedicated to the service they deliver.”

The GA Team

“The whole team were so amazing – it was fantastic how you go her so relaxed. She was so chilled before her operation and after very happy and smiley this morning. I really wanted to say thank you so much for how you treated her yesterday. I really appreciated it. For everyone involved thank you so much.”

The DOM Team

“Thank you for all your help. Since my wife’s stroke she has been on endless waiting lists and everything requires a referral, then that means more waiting. I really appreciate you going out of your way to bring me the forms. You have restored my faith in human kindness.”

The Admin Team

“Thank you so much, you are the only person who has helped me.”

• 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.

You may find the following social stories useful before your visit to the dentist.

• The Marlowes Health and Wellbeing Centre (Hemel Hempstead) Social Story
• The Peace Children's Centre (Watford) Social Story
• Nevells Road Health Centre (Letchworth) Social Story
• Hoddesdon Health Centre Social Story

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. Please use the following referral form if you are not a General Dental Practitioner: Non-Dentist Referral Form

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 are eligible for a home visit in Hertfordshire you can ask your Dentist or any healthcare worker to refer you, you can also self-refer. Please use the following referral form: Home visit form

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.

"Special care is right! You have treated me very specially today and you are all amazing."

It is very important to everyone in our service that people have a positive experience when they come to see us.

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.