Direct Access Consent Form

The General Dental Council (GDC) permits patients to directly access the services of a dental therapist from 1st May 2013.

It is important that you understand the scope of what a dental therapist can and cannot do.

A Dental Therapist can diagnose tooth decay and gum disease and can provide treatments such as white fillings and teeth cleaning. They can also take x-rays (radiographs) to help with their diagnosis and extract baby teeth. Complex or advanced treatments are left in the domain of a dentist such as prescribing antibiotics, crowns and bridges, root canal work, dentures, and extractions of adult teeth.

Just like when a treatment is planned by a dentist, if decay or gum issues are diagnosed and treatment is recommended your Dental Therapist will provide you with a treatment plan, estimate and treatment consent form.

Further information on the Dental Therapists Scope of Practice can be found at https://badt.org.uk/dental-therapy

Referral back to the dentist

You must be aware, should an item out of the Therapist’s scope be identified, an additional examination may be required by a dentist.

This is necessary for the Therapist to act in your best interests, and they must refer you to appropriate clinician to complete your treatment.