Dentists providing NHS treatment are listed online, with practices expected to keep their details up to date on the health service's website.
The Bracknell News analysed records for practices across Bracknell Forest and Wokingham and found fewer than 10 were listed as accepting all NHS patients without a referral.
Unlike GP services, dental patients can sign up for practices outside of their home area.
These are the dental practices currently listed as accepting new NHS patients:
- Mitchell, Paul Francis - 12 Bywood, Bracknell (children only)
- Ascot Dental Surgery - New Road, Ascot
- Wokingham Dental Clinic Partnership - 20 Peach Street, Wokingham
- White Smiles Ltd - Crowthorne Dental Centre, Dukes Ride
- McVeigh, Nuala - 38 Upper Village Road, Sunninghill
- Berkshire Dental Clinic - 37 Yeovil Road, Owlsmoor, Sandhurst
- Nightingale Cottage Dental Practice - 7 York Way, Sandhurst
- White Dental Finchamstead - 422B Finchampstead Road
- Barsar Ltd, Sunningdale Dental Practice - Station Chambers
These NHS dentists are taking patients who are under 17, over 18, and adults entitled to free dental care.
What to do if you need a dentist…according to the NHS
The NHS said the pandemic significantly impacted on the number of patients that could be seen and that dental practices are attempting to balance clearing backlogs with managing new patient demand.
The Bracknell News asked the health service what patients should do if they need a dentist but are struggling to find one.
This was the advice:
Unlike access to GP services, patients can sign up for dental care at practices outside of their home area
Anyone with an urgent dental problem should continue to contact their local NHS dental practice, where they will be triaged depending on the urgency of care needed
If the practice is unable to offer an appointment patients can also “call 111 or go online”
If a patient is deemed clinically urgent by a 111 advisor, an appointment will be made at the nearest urgent care dental hub
If the issue is not deemed urgent after triage, patients will be signposted to another NHS dental practice and/or given self-care advice until an appointment becomes available
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