Dental Services
Paediatric Dental Service
Our team have lots of experience working with children and provides dental care for those who need additional support or expertise.
About our service
Welcome to Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Paediatric Dental Service. Our team have lots of experience working with children and provides dental care for those who need additional support or expertise. Our service provides care across multiple sites in Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, and Walsall. This includes Birmingham Dental Hospital.
Reasons that children might be referred for our care include:
- Nervous/anxious children
- Children who need sedation or general anaesthetic to allow dental treatment
- Children with additional needs such as special needs or certain medical conditions
- Looked after children
- Complex treatment which needs specialist/consultant support
To be seen by our service you must be referred by a healthcare professional such as your child’s regular dentist, paediatrician, or school nurse. They will help summarise your child’s needs to make sure they are seen by an appropriate team when they come to see us.
Our clinics
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Birmingham Dental Hospital Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry 0121 466 555 Patient parking is situated at the back of the building. |
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| Birmingham Clinics | ||
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Attwood Green Health Centre Dental Department, 3rd Floor 0121 466 6880 Patient parking is situated at the back of the building. |
Aston Health Centre Dental Department, Ground Floor 175 Trinity Road 0121 465 3506 Patient parking is limited, please check before you travel |
Hodge Hill Primary Care Centre Dental Department, 2nd Floor 0121 466 4248
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Northfield Health Centre Northfield Dental department 0121 466 6910 Patient parking onsite but limited, please check before travel |
Richmond Primary Care Centre Dental Department, 1st Floor 0121 466 3240 Patient parking onsite at the back of the building |
Soho Road Health Centre Dental Department, 1st Floor 0121 466 5100 Patient parking onsite |
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Sparkbrook Health Centre Dental Department, 2nd Floor Patient parking not on site |
Stockland Health Centre Dental Department, 1st Floor 0121 466 4310 Patient parking onsite |
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| Sandwell Clinics | ||
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Glebefields Health Centre Dental Department Patient parking onsite |
Lyng Health Centre Dental Department, 1st Floor 0121 612 2385 Patient parking on site |
Oldbury Health Centre Dental Department, 1st Floor 0121 612 2691 Patient parking onsite |
| Walsall Clinic | ||
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Brace Street Health Centre Dental Department, 1st Floor Patient parking onsite |
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| Dudley Clinics | ||
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Brierley Hill Health & Social Care Centre Dental Department, 1st Floor Patient parking onsite |
Referrals
We accept referrals from dentists and other health care professions such as schoolnurses, health visitors, child development centres or paediatricians.
Prior to referring, please review our acceptance criteria to ensure your patient is being directed to the correct service.
We request that all dental professionals complete the below referral form. This may also be completed by other healthcare professional.
Referrals should be sent to The Paediatric Dental Service Booking Team based at Birmingham Dental Hospital. These will then be reviewed and if accepted allocated to the most appropriate clinic, considering dental need and home address. We encourage referrers to send as much information as possible, including x-rays and photographs where appropriate, to help support appropriate allocation of these patients.
We continue to accept new patient referrals that meet our acceptance criteria. These referrals are being prioritised according to urgency. Due to significant service restrictions because of the pandemic and a significant increase in referrals, please be aware that some patients may be waiting a long time to be seen by our service. We would be grateful if you could continue to support these patients during this time with regular recalls and preventative advice.
You have been referred to our service, what happens next?
Once we have received your referral, a member of the clinical team will review the information provided, considering your child’s symptoms, the treatment they most likely need and your home address. If the referral is accepted, they will use this information to decide the most appropriate person and clinic to see your child.
Since COVID-19 there are longer waiting times for children to access the service and the information in the referral will be used to provide appointments based on clinical treatment needs. To help us organise referrals effectively, it is important you provide your dentist with as much relevant information as possible and to let them know if anything changes. Even if your child has been referred to our service, your dentist remains responsible for their dental needs. Should your child experience further pain or infection, please contact your usual dentist.
Do you see every patient who is referred?
Our service provides care for certain patients who cannot be supported by the general dental practitioner. We have specific criteria which your referring dentist can use to determine if a referral is appropriate.
All patients who meet our referral criteria will be seen in due course.
Unfortunately, we receive some referrals which do not meet these criteria. This may be because an alternative service is needed, or care would best be completed by a General Dentist. These are returned to the referrer for future management.
What to expect at the first appointment?
For those who are new to our service, if accepted following referral, the first appointment will be an assessment with a dentist. This typically includes the dentist asking some questions, looking at the teeth and possibly taking X-rays. Please note that the first appointment is a consultation and assessment of treatment need. It is unlikely treatment will be provided at this stage.
Parental Responsibility
It is important that somebody with parental responsibility attends the initial appointment. This means a person that is legally able to give consent for the child. Often this includes people named on the birth certificate (Mum or Dad) or people appointed by the court (arrangement order, special guardianship order, social services arrangement). From a legal perspective, this does not include friends or family members who may be involved in the life and care of the child; however, these people are welcome to support in the decision-making process and may be able to accompany the child to future appointments.
Questions that may be asked at the initial appointment
- Information about concerns/problems with teeth
- How you look after the teeth? e.g., brushing habits, diet, attendance at the dentist
- Medical questions about your child’s general health
- Social information including which school your child attends and who lives at home
- Who has parental responsibility?
- Does your child have any support worker or social worker involvement?
Does my child still need to see their usual dentist?
When we have finished all the treatment that needs to be completed by our service, most patients then return to their usual dentist for regular check-ups. Should these patients need our support in future we are always happy to see them again following a referral from their usual dentists.
Services provided
Inhalation Sedation
Inhalation sedation is used to support children to receive dental treatment. It is sometimes called laughing gas, happy air or gas and air. It is often used for those who feel anxious or have a strong gag reflex.
Most treatment can be provided with support from inhalation sedation. It is considered a very safe form of treatment with minimal risks and side effects that the dental team will discuss with you during the assessment appointment.
Intravenous Sedation
Intravenous (IV) sedation is a service provided to older children (typically 12-14+ depending on height, weight, and maturity) with more severe anxiety or those needing more complicated dental treatment. Sedative medicine is given through a cannula (needle) in the hand or arm. It produces a more profound sedation compared to inhalation sedation. This service is available at a limited number of sites so you may be required to travel for assessment and treatment.
General Anaesthetic
General Anaesthetic is where medication is used to make a patient unconscious for treatment. It is sometimes referred to as going to sleep or having an operation. This is carried out in a hospital setting with the support of the anaesthetic team. It is useful to support very young children or those with additional needs or anxiety who are unable to cope with treatment. However, not all treatment can be provided during a general anaesthetic. For many patients this treatment will consist of extractions only.
General Anaesthetic treatment is provided at Birmingham Dental Hospital, Walsall Manor Hospital and Sandwell General Hospital. Factors such as where you live, your child’s health, treatment needs and waiting times will be considered when selecting the most appropriate hospital. Those with complex medical needs may need to be referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) aims to support patients to reduce and manage their dental anxiety. It is a talking therapy that address concerns around dental treatment and empowers patients by providing coping strategies.
This treatment is delivered through multiple appointments with a specially qualified CBT nurse, building towards dental treatment. It has been shown to work well in children. As it takes time it is often not suitable for those with ongoing pain or infection.
Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns are used to treat decay in baby molar teeth. This is because research shows that they are more successful than traditional fillings and are better tolerated by patients.
Two appointments are required:
Small elastic bands called separators are placed either side of the tooth to be crowned. These are left in place until your next appointment in order to temporarily create space either side of the tooth.
Separators are removed and the crown is fitted by applying glue and pushing it firmly onto the tooth. No local anaesthetic (injections) or drilling is required.
After placement of a crown, the tooth may initially feel strange to bite on, but this settles with time.
Tooth decay is not removed prior to fitting the crown. This is because the crown will prevent the decay accessing sugar and therefore it shouldn’t progress.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a liquid which can be applied to teeth to stop tooth decay progressing. It is simple and painless to apply but also very effective. It is often used for patients who are unable to tolerate other forms of treatment.
Once applied, SDF permanently stains tooth decay making it appear black. Healthy areas remain the same colour.
Special Needs Children
Our service provides ongoing care for Special Needs Children. We can work with you and your child to encourage regular visits and build a positive rapport. Our friendly team have lots of experience of working with children with special needs.
Special Care Resources
Unflavoured non-foaming toothpaste
This can be useful for patients for are very sensory who cannot tolerate the flavour or texture of other toothpastes. Examples include Oranurse which can be brought for pharmacies or online.
Fingerguards
These are shields worn to help protect your fingers when brushing somebody else’s teeth. They also stop your child biting down on the toothbrush. They can be used multiple times and are available to buy online.
Specialist toothbrushes
Toothbrushes such as Dr Barman’s are made to brush three surfaces of the teeth at once. This is helpful when brushing somebody else’s teeth and can make it easier to work around the tongue.
Student Dental Clinics
Our service is passionate about supporting the training of future clinicians. We provide training for Undergraduate Dental Students and Undergraduate Students in the School of Hygiene and Therapy. These clinics allow students to develop their skills whilst being fully supervised by qualified and experienced members of staff.
Student clinics are a friendly environment where lots of time and support is given to patients. Patients seen on theses clinics will only receive appointments within term time.
Child Friendly Dental Practices
Some patients referred to our service will be seen in one of the many children friendly practices that work with our trust. These are high street dental practices who have a special interest in treating children and have specialist training from our service.
Emergency Appointments
For patients who are currently receiving treatment with our service, please contact your regular clinic for support or you’re the local dentist who referred you.
For patients who are not currently under our care or who are awaiting assessment, please contact your regular dentist initially. They will be able to provide initial support and if they feel your child needs to be seen by our service, they can send an urgent referral.
If you require support after 5pm on a weekday or over the weekend, or your child is not registered with a dentist, please call NHS 111 for support.
If you are looking after a child who has a care order, please ensure this is mentioned in their referral or when telephoning the clinic.
Patient feedback
It would be great to hear about your experience and receive feedback from your appointment, you can do so by visiting our Concerns and Compliments page.
- “Lovely, relaxed environment. Friendly staff” – Birmingham Dental Hospital Paediatric Dentistry
- “Very responsive to my daughter’s pain and I was seen quickly. Staff helped us to get a quick appointment – thank you.” – Brierley Hill Community Dental Service (Paediatrics)
- “Staff went above and beyond. They were very efficient and effective; I really appreciate what you have done for us.” – Northfield Community Dental Service (Paediatrics)
- “Professional, kind, and caring team made my daughter relaxed. They are a credit to the NHS. I could not have asked for any better, they were wonderful. The Dentist had such passion and empathy showing they were dedicated to their role as a true professional” – Attwood Green Community Dental Service (Paediatrics)
You said, we did
- “It would be good to have more activities for Children while waiting” – An interactive iPad has been made available in the Birmingham Dental Hospital Paediatrics and Orthodontics waiting area.
Patient information resources
Please see below for further advice and resources
Websites
- Food Scanner App
- Sugar Swap App
- Videos for Children
- Leaflets for Parents and Children
- National Smile Month
- How to Brush Your Child's Teeth Clean
- Children's Teeth
Undergraduate Dental, Dental Hygiene and Therapy
Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust works in conjunction with the University of Birmingham to provide undergraduate training for Dentists, Hygienists and Therapists. We will accept patients directly on to the clinics from General Dental Practitioners if they meet the following criteria. Please make this clear on your referral form.
A shared care approach will be maintained during treatment. The referring dentist will be required to see the child during holiday periods, emergency care or where the care is beyond the scope of an undergraduate student. Where appropriate the child will be referred on to Specialist/ Consultant led care i.e., child starts to experience severe dental pain thus requiring other interventions.
Some patients referred to the paediatric service who are deemed to require tier 1 care (Commissioning Standard for Dental Specialties: Paediatric Dentistry) may be given the choice to see the undergraduate students or within our child friendly practices prior to discharge. This care is delivered at a range of site including both the dental hospital and community dental service and will be available in term time only.
Children will be returned to the General Dental Practitioner if not deemed appropriate or where a prolonged wait is envisaged to access care.
The current acceptance criteria include:
- Any age up to 16.
- Parental / Guardian agreement to be treated by Undergraduates.
- Parental/ Guardian understanding treatments may take longer.
- Co – operation deemed appropriate for Undergraduates.
- Enhanced prevention for high-risk groups. This may involve virtual prevention clinics.
- Simple periodontal therapy.
- Biological approaches to the management of early caries in the primary or permanent dentition. I.e., Hall crowns, sealants, non-restorative cavity control and SDF.
- Restorative procedures i.e., Restoration of permanent teeth
- Extractions of primary teeth under local anaesthetic.
- 1Trauma cases: monitoring or simple initial treatment including fracture repair.
Patients are selected from the information provided via our general referral form.