Where Should I Refer my Patient?

The definitive answer to this question will depend on local arrangements and you may wish to contact your Primary Care Trust, Managed Clinical Network or Local Dental Committee.

Community Dental Service:

  • Children with physical or mental handicap, growth-related problems or diseases.
  • Contact your Community Dental Service for local guidelines.

Primary Care Orthodontic Provider:

  • Primary care providers ('high street specialists') provide a wide range of NHS and private orthodonic care.
  • NHS referrals to primary care providers need to fulfil the eligibility criteria described here.
  • All patients age 17 and under irrespective of case severity are eligible for an NHS assesment.
  • Individual primary care orthodontic providers and Primary Care Trusts/Managed Clinical Networks may have local referral criteria.

Hospital Orthodontic Service:

  • Malocclusions which require complex interdisciplinary orthodontics and orthognathic (jaw surgery) treatment i.e. those with skeletal anomalies and/or asymmetries
  • Malocclusions which require complex interdisciplinary restorative treatment, such as severe hypodontia, ankylosed teeth, previously traumatised anterior teeth, developmental anomalies affecting tooth structure (amelogenesis/dentinogenesis imperfecta), severe tooth surface loss
  • Children with physical or mental handicap, growth-related problems or disease
  • Individuals with cleft lip and/or palate or other craniofacial anomalies