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Dental services for children

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Dental services for children

Dental services for children generally provide care up to 16 years of age, though in certain circumstances this may be extended to an older age before transition to adult dental services occurs.

Dental care for children is provided as follows.

Independent practitioners

  • General dental practitioners (GDPs) are responsible for the routine care of the great majority of children and young people (approximately 90%).104
  • Dental hygienists and therapists usually provide care following a treatment plan prescribed by a dentist. Since 2013, they may also treat patients without a prescription from a dentist, but consequently must have in place appropriate referral pathways for provision of care that is beyond their scope of practice.
  • In England and Wales, some independent practitioners have been commissioned to provide additional/specialist services such as treatment under sedation.

Public Dental Service or Community Dental Service

  • May provide routine care for children in areas where independent practice is not readily available, or emergency care for children not registered with a GDP.
  • On referral, supply care for children unable to be treated in a general practice setting e.g. pre-cooperative children, or children with additional needs.
  • Provide additional/specialist services which are not available in general dental practice, such as, sedation and/or dental general anaesthesia for patients with anxiety or behavioural problems.
  • In some areas, paediatric dental specialists or consultants work in the service delivering advice and treatment within the community setting.
  • Coordinate and support provision of multidisciplinary programmes provided through NHS dental and community settings (e.g. the Childsmile programme in Scotland). 
  • Work with other local services to organise dental care for particularly vulnerable children. For example, children with complex additional needs or care experienced children.
  • Participate in screening programmes for dental epidemiology.

Hospital Dental Service

  • Includes specialist and consultant paediatric dentists in the dental institutions.
  • Undertakes treatment for more complex cases, including those requiring multi-disciplinary care.
  • Coordinates care for children with complex medical backgrounds, including those undergoing inpatient treatment.
  • Provide teaching, training and research facilities. In some areas of the country, care for a small number of children is delivered within University Dental Outreach Centres.