# General Dental Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993, Paragraph 13: Treatment on referral


(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), a dentist who accepts a patient referred to him by another dentist who is providing dental services to that patient (whether or not pursuant to the Order) otherwise than under Part III for particular care and treatment shall—
(a) at the time at which he accepts the patient, provide him with a form of acceptance supplied for that purpose by the Agency which shall specify—
(i) the name of the patient,
(ii) the name of the dentist,
(iii) particulars of the places where the patient will receive care and treatment, and
(iv) the telephone number at which the dentist or a deputy may be contacted during normal surgery hours, or at other times in an emergency if different;
(b) at the time of his first examination of the patient, provide the patient with a plan for treatment on a form supplied for that purpose by the Agency which shall specify—
(i) details of the care and treatment which, in the opinion of the dentist, at the date of that examination, is necessary for him to provide having regard to the reason for the referral,
(ii) his estimate of the charge, if any, in respect of that care and treatment,
(iii) any proposals he may have for private care and treatment proposed under general dental services, including particulars of the cost to the patient;
(c) where, in the opinion of the dentist, the care and treatment included in the plan for treatment under head (b) needs to be varied, provide the patient with a revised plan for treatment in accordance (except as to the time of its provision) with head (b);
(d) complete the care and treatment, which is referred to in head (b)(i);
(e) until such time as the treatment on referral has been completed, provide the patient with emergency cover in accordance with paragraph 6(1) and (2), but only to the extent that the patient requires prompt care and treatment in relation to the particular care and treatment for which he has been referred; and
(f) repair or replace, in accordance with sub-paragraph (2), any restoration which requires repair or replacement.
(2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), in repairing or replacing a restoration in the course of treatment on referral, a dentist shall repair or replace at no charge to the patient any of the following restorations, namely a filling, root filling, inlay, pinlay or crown which has to be repaired or replaced and which was provided by him in the course of the treatment on referral.
(3) A dentist shall not be under an obligation to repair or replace any restoration under sub-paragraph (2) where—
(a) within 12 months of the date on which the restoration was provided—
(i) a dentist has provided private treatment, or
(ii) another dentist has provided occasional treatment otherwise than of a temporary nature, on the tooth in respect of which the restoration was provided;
(b) the dentist advised the patient at the time of the restoration and indicated on any plan for treatment provided to the patient in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (c) and on the patient record—
(i) that the restoration was intended to be temporary in nature, or
(ii) that, in his opinion, a different form of restoration was more appropriate but, notwithstanding that advice, the patient insisted on the restoration which was provided;
(c) in the opinion of the dentist, the condition of the tooth in respect of which the restoration was provided is such that the restoration cannot satisfactorily be repaired or replaced and different treatment is now required; or
(d) the repair or replacement is required as a result of trauma.
(4) The obligation to repair or replace any restoration under sub-paragraph (2) shall cease 12 months after the date on which the restoration was provided or when the treatment on referral has been completed, whichever is the sooner.
(5) Sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply where the dentist refers a patient for examination and advice only.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1993/326/schedule/2/paragraph/13 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/general-dental-services-regulations-northern-ireland-1993/schedule-2/paragraph-13
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.