Update from DoD

Dear Colleague,

Please see attached a letter from the CDO regarding the remobilisation of dental services.  As you can see the first element of this is an expansion of the urgent dental care provision to intermediate dental care provision. My letter (DoD update 20th May 2020) describes how this will be implemented in Lothian and should be read alongside the new referral algorithm, and the 2 SDCEP guidance documents about prescribing and out of hours care.

I am very conscious that you may have a number of patients who would benefit from these additional services.  Please refer the patients in line with the referral algorithm as follows:

Dental signs and symptoms require Urgent Intervention (SDCEP)

  • Pain
  • Trauma
  • Swelling
  • Ulceration
  • Bleeding
  • Altered Sensation or Abnormal Appearance & Is not manageable with ‘Self Care Advice’/AAA

In working hours

(Monday to Friday 9am-6.00pm)

Call 0131 537 8801 or 0131 537 8802

Patients details will be taken and a Triaging team will ring you back, discuss and arrange for your patient to be seen in the appropriate NHSL facility dependent on their COVID-19 status, if urgent intervention deemed necessary

Non Urgent Care as defined by SDCEP

To include in addition :-

  • Fractured Denture or requirement of modification to existing Denture
  • Loose/Displaced Crown/Bridge
  • Lost filling that is Sensitive
  • Lost filling on a root treated tooth
  • Fractured tooth that is sensitive, sharp or root treated
  • Issue with Orthodontic Appliance

Refer to the ‘Intermediate Dental Treatment ‘ Centre

Call 0131 537 8959

Patient details will be taken and a Triaging team will ring you back, discuss and arrange for your patient to be seen , if deemed necessary

The capacity remains limited being built up over the next week and I would be grateful if you could send us the most pressing initially to try to avoid overwhelming the service provision.

Thank you in advance,

Angus Walls

Interim Director of Dentistry

DoD update 20th May
referral algorithm GDP recovery phase 1
SDCEP+MADP+Quick+Reference+Guide