The Special Care Dental Service provides a service for people with complex needs who are unable to access care at high street dentists.

This is a referral-only service and is staffed by a dedicated team of Dentists and Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) who have a special interest in treating patients with additional needs.

Access to this service is by referral to a single point of access to ensure that we provide an equitable accessible service in Wiltshire and Swindon.

Patients who attend the Special Care Dental Service can expect to be treated in a clinic that has been adapted to suit their particular needs for example specially adapted dental chairs and hoists to aid with transfer from wheelchair to dental chair.

Domiciliary care can be provided for patients who are housebound which prevents them from attending the clinic.

Referral to the Service

Referrals are accepted from:

  • General Dental Practitioners      
  • General Medical Practitioners
  • Any other health or social care professional

Adults

Referrals are accepted for adults, who, because of their disability need dentistry in a special care setting. These may include:

  • Adults under the care of the local mental health team
  • Learning disabilities
  • Autistic spectrum disorders
  • Severely medically compromised
  • After head and neck radiotherapy
  • Domiciliary care for housebound patients
  • Severe bleeding disorders
  • Severe physical disabilities
  • Brain injuries
  • Life limiting conditions

Children

Referrals are accepted for children who, because of their disabilities need dentistry in a special care setting. These may include:

  • Severely medically compromised
  • Learning disabilities
  • Autistic spectrum disorders
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Severe physical disabilities
  • Children with repaired cleft lip/palate
  • Children under five years of age with extensive decay for whom treatment has proved unsuccessful
  • Looked after children and those under the Child Protection Plan

Further information

For Special Care referral forms and guidelines please click on the following link: NHS England — South West » Dental referral guidance and forms 

For any enquires regarding referral to the Special Care Dental Service please contact: gwh.dentaladmin.teamoffice@nhs.net