Special Care Dentistry
What Services do we Provide?
We are a consultant-led service providing specialist care on referral for adults aged 16 and over who fit our referral criteria.
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Our services
We are a consultant-led service providing specialist care on referral for adults aged 16 and over who fit our referral criteria. Our team have a wealth of experience in working with those who need additional support or expertise. The team includes those with a Special Interest in Special Care Dentistry, as well as both Specialists and Consultants who lead in the care and in the services that we provide.
To fit the criteria for acceptance for dental care with the Special Care Dental service, the patient must have a severe disability, medical or mental health condition which results in:
- Severe difficulty communicating, giving consent and/or co-operating with treatment.
- Complex medical condition with significant risk of medical emergency, bleeding or healing problems.
- Inability to weight bear and transfer into the dental chair without use of special equipment.
- Severe and enduring mental health problems with unusual, altered thought, extreme mood and behaviour which restricts the provision of care.
More detail about referral criteria and how to refer can be found here: [[Link to referrals page]]
The Special Care Dental service includes access to specialist facilities such as sedation, general anaesthetic, wheelchair recliner, transfer equipment, bariatric chair and cognitive behavioural therapy for dental phobia. Please note: not all services are available at all clinic sites.[Link to Clinic locations]
Treatment modalities
According to the clinical needs of our patients we offer treatment under:
Local Anaesthetic: Inhalation Sedation with nitrous oxide
Inhalation sedation is used to support a patient 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.
Local Anaesthetic: Intravenous Sedation with midazolam
Intravenous (IV) sedation is a service provided with more severe anxiety or those needing more complicated dental treatment. Sedative medicine is given through a cannula (needle) in the hand or arm. 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 those with additional needs or anxiety who are unable to cope with treatment in other modalities. However, not all treatment can be provided during a general anaesthetic.
Other specialised services offered
- Domiciliary care (home visits).
- Dental services for Homeless Adults in Birmingham.
- Cognitive behavioural Therapy for dental phobia.
Our team have a wealth of experience in working with those who need additional support or expertise. The team includes those with a Special Interest in Special Care Dentistry, as well as Specialists in Special Care Dentistry and Consultant in Special Care Dentistry who lead in the care and in the services that we provide.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) aims to support patients to reduce and manage their dental anxiety, so that they can access routine dental care. 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, who work closely with clinicians to provide care in a calm and supportive environment, building towards dental treatment. In some cases, sedation may be offered alongside therapy to help patients feel more comfortable.
This service is available to both adults and children who have been referred by a high street dentist.
- View our Special Care referral criteria.
- View our Paediatric referral criteria.
After completing your course of therapy, you’ll return to your referring dentist for ongoing care.
Domiciliary Care
At Birmingham Community Dental Services, we understand that some individuals face significant challenges accessing dental clinics due to physical, medical, or psychological conditions. For those patients with complex needs we are able to offer a limited Domiciliary Dental Care service to patients in their own home, or care setting.
Those individuals with less complex needs who do not meet the referral criteria [link], or who only require dentures to be made in the home, should contact NHS 111 or use the NHS service finder [link] to find information for General Dental Practitioners who offer domiciliary care.
This pathway is summarised in our Domiciliary Care Pathway illustration.
Who is this service for?
This service is available to housebound adults aged 16 and over who meet specific referral criteria.
What we offer
Our domiciliary care team provides:
- Initial assessments in the home environment.
- Preventive care.
- Simple treatments.
- Denture services.
- Referral pathways for more complex care needs, including sedation or hospital-based treatment.
Dental Service for Homeless Adults
We offer a weekly walk-in dental clinic for homeless adults aged 16 and over in Birmingham.
The clinic runs every Thursday from 1.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. at:
3rd Floor Dental Clinic
Attwood Green Health Centre
30 Bath Row
Birmingham
B15 1LZ
Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Once we reach capacity for the session, we may not be able to see additional patients.
Upon arrival, patients will be asked to provide information about their medical history and any medications they are taking, as well as their residential status. NHS dental charges apply, and patients must complete a Patient Declaration form to confirm their eligibility for free or reduced-cost treatment.
Learn more about who can get free NHS dental treatment or help with dental costs [Link].
Please note: Occasionally, the clinic may be closed due to planned or unforeseen circumstances. We will do our best to communicate any changes in advance.
We work closely with local homeless organisations to promote this service. If you know someone who may benefit, please share this information.
For more details about oral health promotion and dental services for homeless adults, contact us here [link to contact us]
Multi-disciplinary teams
The Special Care Dentistry team work alongside other specialities to deliver the best care to our patients. This can involve joint consultations, or joint treatment with other specialist services.