
Gloucestershire Community Dental Services
Who we are and how we can help

Our specialist dental services cover the following areas...
Which service is right for you?
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Meet the dental team
The team comprises of dentists, dental therapists/hygienists, dental nurses and oral health educators, who all work together to ensure a patients' oral health needs are met and they maintain a health mouth. The clinical team are supported by a number of administration staff; receptionists and administrators who help maintain patient records and ensure that appointments are booked efficiently.
Dentist
A dentist will examine and treat patients accompanied by a dental nurse either in surgery or in a patient’s place of residence if necessary. A dentist will:
- educate patients on oral healthcare
- examine teeth and diagnose dental conditions
- assess treatment options and agree treatment plans with patients
- carry out agreed clinical treatments such as restoring teeth affected by decay and treating gum disease
- maintain patients' dental records
Dental therapist
A dental therapist will work to a dentist’s prescription for treatment and see patients accompanied by a dental nurse in surgery or in a patient’s place of residence. A therapist will:
- educate patients on oral healthcare
- place sealants
- scale and polish teeth
- work with patients to manage gum disease
- carry out treatments such as fillings and extractions
Dental nurse
The nurse will support all members of the dental team both in surgery and in a patient’s place of residence. A nurse will:
- assist the dentist during and examination or treatment
- help the dentist to make the patient feel comfortable and at ease
- be responsible for maintaining patients records including taking notes whist the dentist is examining the patient
- maintain a high standard of cleanliness in surgery and ensuring it is ready for use
Many of the dental nurses working within our service have further qualifications in radiography, inhalation sedation and special care.
Oral health educator
An oral health educator will work with patients and cares to provide them with the skills and knowledge to maintain a healthy mouth.
An oral health educator will:
- educate patients on oral healthcare using various visual aids
- provide advice and teach brushing techniques
- advise on diet and snacking
- educate carers so that they can maintain oral health for their family member or patient including caring for dentures
- apply fluoride
Dental receptionist
The reception team is the first point of contact for our patients. They will welcome patients and complete any paperwork necessary prior to them being seen by the clinician. They will assist patients to make appointments for their examinations and treatment.
Administrators
The administration team will carry out various clerical tasks, such as managing the referral process and patient records.
Information for professionals
If you are a general dental practitioner or healthcare professional, you can find out more about our criteria for referring patients in the section below.
Information for professionals
The role of the Community Dental Service has developed over the last few years and we are commissioned to provide special care dentistry for adults and children in Gloucestershire. We have a central system for all referrals, which are triaged by a senior clinician prior to being accepted onto the waiting list. Patients are then offered an appointment at a clinic that has appropriate facilities for their particular needs.
The Service is led by a specialist in special care dentistry, but patients will be booked with a dentist appropriate to their needs as identified within the referral. Patients should be informed they are being referred to the special care dental service.
Referral information
Referral criteria for patients varies per service.
You can request access for your patients using our online referral forms.
Information for both can be seen on our referral page.
Our services cover the following areas...
Our dental team are highly skilled and dedicated professionals who appreciate that some people can have difficulties in accessing dental care. We are here to give high quality treatment with a caring, understanding approach. Members of the team also have special interests in learning difficulties and dementia and are able to assist patients and their cares with their dental needs. We have a number of clinics at various locations throughout Gloucestershire. All clinics are accessible by wheelchair and some clinics have specialist equipment, such as wheelchair recliners and bariatric dental chairs to enable patients to received dental treatment in comfort. (See clinic details.)
Charges for Treatment by Gloucestershire Community Dental Service
People will be charged the current NHS dental patient charges unless proof of exemption can be provided. The charges you pay depend on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit the dentist more than once to finish it. Our payment charges are categorised as – Band 1, Band 2 or Band 3 – visit the link to understand which treatments come into each band. The charges are reviewed and subject to change on 1stApril each year.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/dentists/understanding-nhs-dental-charges/
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/
How to find us
Gloucestershire Community Dental Service have seven specialist sites across the county. For details and clinic opening times use the searchable map opposite or click 'Find our clinics'.