New provider of NHS dental services for Herefordshire area:
Herefordshire and Worcestershire have been working to support local people to put in place a contract for a new provider in Herefordshire since last year when they took over the commissioning of dental services from NHS England.
NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire have appointed Central Hereford Dental Care as the new provider of NHS dental services in Hereford and they will operate two new practices in the city.
The first of two practices, Central Hereford Dental Care, opened on Commercial Street in Hereford in May, with a second practice located to the South of the River due to open in Spring 2025.
Appointments and registration of interest can only be made via telephone on 01432 652202 or 01432 652203, or use the online form on the website at: www.chdental.co.uk
Patients are asked to provide their contact details and to answer some questions about their need for dental treatment. Appointments will be offered based on clinical need and priority. It is not a “first come first served” system.
Patients will be triaged according to need whether you use the phone line or the online form.
The provision of NHS Dental Services has been commissioned to provide long term access and we kindly request that people are patient when registering their details and looking to secure an appointment.
If you live in the Hereford area and would like to receive dental care at Central Hereford Dental Care, please read the information below to find out more about what to do next.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I was previously receiving NHS dental care in Herefordshire and I would like to receive routine NHS dental care again. What do I need to do?
A: If you used to receive NHS dental care and you are interested in having a routine check-up or non-emergency care you can contact the Central Hereford Dental Care on the Patient line at 01432 652202 or 01432 652203, or use the online form on the website at: www.chdental.co.uk
Appointments are being offered based on clinical need.
Please also note that there is no patient registration in dentistry, the NHS dentist will have obligations to treat you for a period of 24 months post your active treatment but most people will stay with their dentist for longer periods as long as they maintain their appointments.
Q: Will the first patients who call or complete the online form to put their name on the list be given priority?
A: No, all appointments will be prioritised based on clinical need. Appointments are not allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. There is no benefit in being the “first” to provide your contact details to the practice.
This applies to former NHS patients who have been receiving routine care at other practices that have since withdrawn their NHS service.
Q. Once I’ve phoned or completed an online form with my details what happens next?
A: Once you have called or used the online form to add your name to the list, the practice will then contact people based on clinical need and and book them in for treatment once the practice opens.
Q: What are the opening times of the practice?
A: The opening times will be Monday to Friday from ) 08.30AM – 13.00PM and 14.00 to 17.30PM
Q. I've been given an appointment, what hapens if I change my mind or cannot make the appointment?
A. There is a huge demand for NHS dental care in Herefordshire, if you cannot make your appoimtnet or change your mind, please let Central Hereford Dental Practice know as soon as you can so they can free up a slot for someone else who needs dental care.
Failing to notify the practice can mean you will be removed from the list for further treatment.
Q:How quickly will I hear back for be booked in once I’ve called or completed the online form to have my name added to the list?
A: There will undoubtedly be a high demand for dental appointments and the team at Central Hereford Dental Practice will get people booked in as soon as possible based on their clinical need. We ask that people be patient while the new practice gets established.
Q. Is there only one practice offering NHS dental care in Hereford?
A: A second practice will be opening in SSpring 2025 which will be located south of the river. Opening dates for this have not yet been established. We encourage any patients who prefer the south location to wait for further details to be released, rather than contact the Central Hereford practice as they cannot add you to the Southside list at this time.
Q: I am not a patient at any other practice, what can I do?
A: To access the practice in Commercial Street, you can contact the Central Hereford Dental Care practice via telephone at 01432 652202 or 01432 652203or by completing an online form on the website at www.chdental.co.uk, or you may choose to wait for further details to be released regarding the second site South of the river.
Q: What do you class as urgent or emergency dental treatment?
A: You will be asked some questions about your need for dental treatment during the process of requesting treatment. These questions will help us to triage patients who require urgent or emergency treatment.
Q: What should I do for dental emergencies?
A: There are dental emergencies which need immediate attention to minimise the risk of serious medical complications that could be life threatening.
For example:
-
Uncontrollable and heavy loss of blood after having a tooth out.
-
Rapidly increasing swelling around the throat or eye, especially if associated with difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
In an emergency, you should call 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department. Remember, A&E at Hereford County Hospital is for dental emergencies only and has no facilities for general dental care.
Q: I need to see an NHS dentist for urgent care. What do I do?
A: Central Hereford Dental Care has been commissioned to provide long-term access to dental care. Patients who receive ongoing dental treatment from the practice will be advised as to how they should access urgent dental care should they need it. However, in the meantime, if you have an urgent dental treatment need please request treatment by contacting Dental Access Centres as indicated below :
Gaol Street Dental Access Centre, Hereford Tel: 01432 378920 Email: info.
Advice and enquiries – Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm Evening advice clinics – Monday to Thursday 5.30pm to 8pm, telephone lines open at 5pm
Asda Dental Access Centre, Belmont Road Hereford – advice and enquiries Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Tel: 01432 382180 Email: info.
Leominster Dental Centre –– advice and enquiries Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Tel: 01568 619380 Email: info.
Ross-on-Wye Community Hospital -– advice and enquiries Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Tel: 01989 561114 Email: info.
Ledbury Community Health and Care Centre – by appointment only Email - info.
If you require urgent dental advice or treatment outside the hours listed please telephone NHS111.
Q: Will Central Hereford Dental Care offer both NHS and private treatment?
A: Not initially, the provider will only offer NHS treatment options.
Q: What services will be offered at the practice?
A: A full range of general dentistry
Q: Will I have to pay?
A: If you usually pay when you visit a dentist, this will still apply.
You do not have to pay for NHS dental services if you are:
-
Under 18 years of age or under 19 and in full-time education.
-
Pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months.
-
Being treated in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist (you may have to pay for dentures or bridges however).
-
Receiving low-income benefits or are under 20 and a dependant of someone receiving low-income benefits.
If you or your spouse (including civil partner) receive Income Support, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, Universal Credit (in certain circumstances).
You can receive free NHS dental treatment if you are entitled to or are named on:
-
A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
-
A valid HC2 certificate (for people on low income)
-
A valid maternity exemption certificate and;
-
People named on NHS Certificate for partial help (HC3).
People on low income can include some students and pensioners.
You will be asked to show proof that you do not have to pay for all or part of your NHS treatment and sign a form to confirm you do not have to pay.
Further information on NHS dental charges can be found on the NHS website: https://
