Dentistry – A Healthwatch guide to your rights and accessing the treatment you need
Acces to NHS dentistry is one of the main reasons why people have contacted Healthwatch.
One of the key lessons for Healthwatch has been that many members of the public, including those who regularly attend dental services, are not clear on what dentistry services are available via the NHS, what treatment is included and what charges apply.
In response, Healthwatch across Sussex (Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex) have worked together with local dental organisations on a detailed guide to help everyone get the treatment they need.
This explains:
- About reforms to improve access for patients
- The difference between NHS and private dental care
- How to find and register with an NHS dentist
- NHS dental charges and exemptions (correct as at April 2024)
- How to feedback or complain about a dental service
- Useful links and emergency dental services
We hope the full guide will answer most of your questions about NHS dental care. There are also some useful tips about keeping teeth and gums healthy.
Home care
We have also produced some advice about how to deliver self-care for common dental issues such as toothache, wisdom teeth pain, ulcers, lost crowns and knocked-out teeth. This is available as a guide at the end of this webpage.
To find dental practices near you
- Use the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist
For urgent dental treatment contact one of the following:
Emergency dental treatment
Emergency dental treatment can be provided out of hours, you can contact one of the service on the telephone numbers below. These services are by appointment only and will not accept walk-in patients. We have included the list below which was accurate as of April 2024. You can check to see if anything has changed by visiting this website
Worthing and surrounding areas
- Telephone: 01903 230364
- Address: Central Clinic, Stoke Abbot Road, Worthing, BN11 1HE
Chichester and surrounding areas
- Telephone: 01243 793697
- Address: Jubilee Dental Centre, St Richards Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, Chichester, PO21 6SE
Crawley area
- Telephone: 01293 518541
- Address: First Floor, Yellow Wing East, Crawley Hospital, West Green Drive, Crawley, RH11 7DH
Haywards Heath area
- Telephone: 01444 440695
- Address: Haywards Heath Health Centre, Heath Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 3BB
Brighton & Hove, Lewes and surrounding area
- Telephone: 03000 242548
Eastbourne area
- Telephone: 01323 449170
Hastings and St. Leonards
- Telephone: 01424 850792
Work is being done in Sussex transform NHS dentistry to make it more accessible and address inequalities. Find out about this here
Tell us about your contact with dental services
We are very keen to hear about how dental services are working for you. Which services have you been in contact with? Did you get help for any dental problems?
Healthwatch Brighton and Hove is aware of the issues that are affecting many people, and we continue to gather and feedback. We have already raised your concerns with NHS England, the Clincial Commissioning Group and local MPs. You can read about our work here.
Should you have any questions or require further information please contact us by email: office@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk
Downloads
You can download more information here, but if you need it in a different format, please contact us at:
office@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk
01273 234 041