Emergency dental treatment

Dental Services Update – 16 July 2020 From Thursday 16 July 2020 the Island’s residents will be able to access their usual dental practice as they normally would. The emergency dental service is available at weekends and bank holidays between the hours of 9am and 11am (the rota is within the downloadable documents). There will still be some differences that patients should be aware of and this information is available under the downloadable document ‘Guidance to Dentists on the Isle of Man – 16 July 2020’. Essentially any patient who is considered as ‘low risk’ following a risk assessment carried out by the dental practice will be able to access dental services for the whole range of dental provision. Patients who are considered ‘high risk’ will be able to contact their own dental practice and will receive treatment via telephone advice, antibiotics or pain relief unless the dental condition the patient wishes to access services for is considered life-threatening. If patients have any queries or concerns they can contact dental@gov.im and a member of the Primary Care Team will be able to assist.

Patients who have a Regular Dentist

Emergency dental treatment is provided under the National Health Service by all dentists. If you have a problem you should ring your dentist in the first instance. As with all NHS dental services a charge is normally payable except for groups who may be exempt. A dental practice may ask a patient to pay before treatment. Patients can check how much this will cost before they see the dentist.

Patients who have No Dentist

If you currently have no dentist then emergency dental treatment only can be sought from the Community Dental Service. They can provide one appointment to help relieve pain or treat other urgent dental conditions.

Opening Hours: 8:30pm to 4:30pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 4pm on Friday

An Emergency Dental Clinic (EDC) is provided by an on duty dentist for weekends and bank holidays. This service is delivered at one of the NHS Dental Practices. The rota can be found in downloadable documents.

The Service is available between 9am and 11am each weekend and bank holiday. Patients can make contact direct with the practice responsible for operating the EDC and should always call the relevant dental practice first to arrange a visit on the day – this is not a drop-in service.  The charge patients can expect to pay (unless exempt from charges – see exemption categories below) is £18.50.   Any patient notes/records taken at the EDC will be computerised at the dental practice visited, but on request a patient’s regular dentist can request a copy of these records if required.  The dentist at the EDC will be able to assist with any of the treatments listed within Schedule 4 of the Dental Charges Regulations linked at the top of this page.

The Manx Emergency Doctor Service (MEDS) is available every weekday evening and 24/7 at weekends and bank holidays.  MEDS GPs can offer advice, pain relief if required and can also give patients a referral to take with them to the next available EDC if required.

Patient groups exempt from NHS dental charges:

• You are under 16
• You are aged under 19 and in full-time education
• You are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
• You have reached state retirement age
• You, or your dependent, receive Income Support
• You receive Income Based Job Seekers Allowance or Employed Persons Allowance
• You are a war disablement pensioners
• You are registered blind

Patients not falling within the above categories may be able to get help with the cost of NHS treatment on low income grounds and are required to complete a form F1, which is then submitted to Family Practitioner Services, Crookall House, Demesne Road, Douglas for processing.