General Dental Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993

PART III OCCASIONAL TREATMENT

Occasional treatment

17.—(1) A dentist may provide as occasional treatment any of the items of treatment mentioned in sub-paragraph (2).

(2) The items of treatment referred to in sub-paragraph (1) are—

(a) extractions of not more than 2 permanent teeth;

(b) extractions of not more than 4 deciduous teeth, except that, where a general anaesthetic is used, there shall be no limit as to the number of deciduous teeth that may be extracted;

(c) dressing of deciduous or permanent teeth including any preparatory treatment;

(d) incising an abscess;

(e) opening one or more root canals for drainage;

(f) pulp extirpation and dressing to seal the cavity;

(g) arrest of haemorrhage;

(h) treatment of infected sockets;

(i) removal of plugs or sutures;

(j) palliative treatment that is immediately necessary (including the treatment of sensitive cementum or dentine, the stoning and smoothing of the surface of a tooth, the provision of a temporary crown or the removal of the fractured portion of a natural crown, where its dissection from supporting soft tissues is necessary prior to the provision of a permanent restoration);

(k) refixing or recementing a crown, inlay or bridge;

(l) repair of, or alterations to, dentures or other appliances not requiring the prior approval of the Committee;

(m) treatment for acute conditions of the gingivae or oral mucosa (including treatment for pericoronitis or for ulcers and herpetic lesions) and any necessary oral hygiene instruction in connection with such treatment;

(n) any treatment immediately necessary as a result of trauma;

(o) provision of general anaesthesia in connection with the items of treatment specified in heads (a) to (f) and (n);

(p) provision of sedation in connection with the items of treatment specified in heads (a) to (f), (j), (k) and (n);

(q) taking of radiographs in connection with the items of treatment specified in heads (a) to (k) and (n);

(r) issuing a prescription in connection with the items of treatment specified in heads (a) to (n).

(3) Where a patient has entered into a continuing care arrangement or a capitation arrangement with a dentist, another dentist who is not acting on behalf of that dentist may provide (in addition to the items of treatment specified in sub-paragraph (2)) as occasional treatment to that patient the following items of treatment—

(a) permanent fillings to not more than 2 retained deciduous teeth or permanent teeth;

(b) root fillings to not more than 2 permanent teeth;

(c) replacement of a denture or temporary bridge where the original is lost or damaged beyond repair, or provision of a new denture where it is needed because of trauma or extraction;

(d) where the patient is under the age of 18, conservation of not more than 2 decidous teeth; and

(e) provision of sedation and taking of radiographs in connection with the items of treatment specified in heads (a), (b) and (d).

(4) If, owing to any cause beyond his control, the dentist is unable to complete any occasional treatment which has been commenced, he shall forthwith notify the Agency in writing of the extent of the occasional treatment provided and of the reason for his inability to complete the remainder.

Referral for occasional treatment

18.—(1) Where a patient requires any occasional treatment and the dentist does not have the necessary facilities, experience or expertise to provide that occasional treatment, he shall, if the patient agrees, refer him in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) for the provision of that occasional treatment by another dentist under general dental services or by a hospital or other service provided under Part II of the Order.

(2) In referring a patient under sub-paragraph (1) to another dentist or to a hospital or other service for that occasional treatment, the dentist shall—

(a) give details of the oral condition of the patient and the reason for the referral to that other dentist or, as the case may be, that hospital or other service, either at the time of referral or as soon as practicable afterwards;

(b) include with those details a statement of the amount paid to him by the patient under the Dental Charges Regulations in respect of any occasional treatment already provided in the course of the occasional treatment during which the referral is made; and

(c) indicate in his claim for remuneration in respect of that course of occasional treatment that the patient has been referred for the required occasional treatment.

(3) A dentist who accepts a patient referred to him under sub-paragraph (1) shall provide only the occasional treatment which, in the opinion of the dentist, it is necessary for him to provide having regard to the reason for referral.