Dental Referrals

NHS dental care scheme update

In January 2025 BOB ICB implemented the Government’s urgent dental care provision pilot. This now been continued from 1 April as the Urgent and Non-Urgent Unscheduled Care Dental Access Appointments Scheme.

The service covers patients in these categories:

• Urgent unscheduled care: patients who may require clinical care within 24 hours or as soon as practically possible, unless the condition worsens; or
• Non-urgent unscheduled care: patients requiring dental care within 7 days, unless the conditions worsens

The ICB has agreed with 36 practices across BOB to provide this service in 2025-26. Details of the practices taking part in the scheme and of the days they are providing these sessions have been forwarded to NHS 111. Patients should contact 111 in the first instance if they need dental care.

NHS 111 will signpost to urgent or unscheduled care at these practices. The ICB has also shared the nationally developed clinical guidelines underpinning the service.