From 1/4/06 dentists are no longer responsible for out of hours dental treatment.

The BANES Primary Care Trust (PCT) is now working with other PCTs to start a new Dental Out of Hours Service. This new system can be accessed by telephoning 0845 120 6680.  You will then be given an emergency appointment at a treatment centre if necessary.

The service will include:

• Call handling and dental assessment (triage) by a trained dental nurse from 6pm – 9pm Monday to Friday, and 8am – 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. After 9pm on weeknights and after 5pm on weekends calls will be handled by NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Depending on the outcome of the dental assessment, patients will be directed to options appropriate to their circumstances. The range includes:

• Advice on taking painkillers or other medicine
• Treatment at a Dental Access Centre
• Treatment with an NHS dentist
• Treatment in the primary care unit at the Bristol Dental Hospital
• Treatment at an out of hours treatment centre
• Going to a hospital emergency department.

More information can be obtained in the form of a leaflet from Helena Barlow. Tel. 0117 9002375 or email on helena.barlow@bristolswpct.nhs.uk