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Dundee Dental Hospital Specialist Services: Specialty Care Dentistry and Clinical Psychology - Who to Refer

Warning

Referrals accepted by the Special Care Department

We accept the following categories of patients for assessment &/or treatment within the Special Care Department. The following are examples; this is not an exhaustive list.
Medically compromised patients
  • Assessment of patients prior to organ transplant &/or cardiac surgery on an in and out-patient basis.
  • Assessment of patients prior to certain cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy to the head and neck region
  • Treatment of patients with inherited bleeding disorders who cannot be managed in primary care

Please note, we are not able to register patients with the Department for continuing or lifelong care.

Care of the elderly
  • Assessment of Elderly patients with complex dental and social needs, for example those who have dementia or other cognitive impairment.
  • Formal assessment of Capacity & the issuing of Adults with Incapacity (Section 47) Certificates authorising dental treatment

Please note, we are not able to register patients with Department for continuing or lifelong care.

Disability
  • Assessment or Management of patients with Learning and/or Physical Disability.

Please note the following point(s):

  • We are not able to register patients with the Department for continuing or lifelong care.
  • Dundee Dental Hospital and School does not have a wheelchair tipper.
  • Although the Special care Clinics are held in side surgeries, not all are wheelchair accessible and most are accessed via the main undergraduate open clinics. This may not be suitable for some patients, particularly those who are distressed by noise and busy environments.
  • Should patients meet PDS referral criteria, consideration should be given to referral to colleagues in the PDS
Mental health problems and/or emotional and social disability
  • Formal assessment of Capacity & the issuing of Adults with Incapacity (Section 47) Certificates authorising dental treatment
  • Specialist treatment and/or advice for patients with mental health problems including those affected by substance misuse or homelessness.

Please note, we are not able to register patients with Department for continuing or lifelong care.

Dentally anxious

Conscious Sedation Modalities: Oral sedation, inhalation sedation, intravenous sedation with an anaesthetist led sedation for patients with complex medical history

Please note the following point(s):

  • We are not able to register patients with the Department for continuing or lifelong care.
  • An assessment appointment to discuss the different options available to the patient is required before conscious sedation is delivered
  • We are unable to accept referrals for patients for Intra venous (IV) sedation with BMI over 35
  • We do not offer endodontic or crown and bridge treatment under conscious sedation

Clinical Psychology: Sessions are available for patients who suffer from dental anxiety or phobia. Sessions are also available for patients who report gagging problems.

Please note the following point(s):

  • We are not able to register patients with the Department for continuing or lifelong care.
  • No dental treatment can be carried out by the Clinical Psychologist.
  • Patients who can accept dental treatment under local anaesthetic will usually be referred back to the referrer for treatment to be carried out.
  • Please indicate whether you wish the patient to be seen directly by the Clinical Psychologist or if a combined approach of conscious sedation and clinical psychology may be of benefit

 

The following is not provided by the Special Care Specialist Service

Please note the following point(s):

We are not able to register patients with Department for continuing or lifelong care.

Care of the elderly

A Domiciliary Service is not provided from Dundee Dental Hospital

Please consider referral to the Public Dental Service (PDS)

Patients with learning/ physical/ emotional or social disability Patients meeting PDS Referral Criteria should be referred to one of the PDS Centres as appropriate
Conscious sedation, general anaesthetic and clinical psychology

General Anaesthetic is not available or facilitated by the Special Care Team at DDH&S

Please consider referral to the PDS

Patient’s requiring the use of bariatric equipment Patients who require the use of Bariatric Facilities should be referred to the Public Dental Service (PDS)

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 06/09/2025

Next review date: 03/05/2027