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Paragraph 4 A continuing care arrangement

Changes not yet applied. Later legislation changes this provision in ways not yet written into the text below:

(1)

A dentist who accepts a person for care and treatment under a continuing care arrangement shall—

(a)

at the time at which he accepts the patient, provide him with the information about care and treatment under general dental services which is set out in Schedule 4 and 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 (if any) which in the opinion of the dentist, at the date of that examination, is necessary to secure and maintain the oral health of the patient,

(ii)

the approximate period following which a further examination is recommended by the dentist,

(iii)

his estimate of the charge, if any, in respect of that care and treatment, and

(iv)

any proposals he may have for private care and treatment as an alternative to the care and treatment proposed under general dental services, including particulars of the cost to the patient;

(c)

where at any time during the currency of a continuing care arrangement—

(i)

the circumstances specified in sub-paragraph (2) apply, or

(ii)

in the opinion of the dentist, the care and treatment included in a plan for treatment provided under head (b) or this head needs to be varied;

provide the patient with a new plan for treatment or, as the case may be, a revised plan for treatment in accordance (except as to the time of its provision) with head (b);

(d)

complete the care and treatment (if any)—

(i)

which is referred to in head (b)(i), and

(ii)

where sub-paragraph (2)(a) to (c) do not apply, any care and treatment which is, in the opinion of the dentist at the date of any examination of the patient, necessary to secure and maintain his oral health;

(e)

provide the patient with emergency cover in accordance with paragraph 6; and

(f)

repair or replace, in accordance with paragraph 7, any restoration which requires repair or replacement.

(2)

The circumstances referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(c)(i) are that—

(a)

the patient requests a new plan for treatment; or

(b)

the patient and the dentist have agreed that all or part of the treatment which is necessary to secure and maintain oral health is to be provided privately; or

(c)

the care and treatment which is to be provided includes any of the items of treatment mentioned in sub-paragraph (3).

(3)

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

(a)

non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontal diseases which is likely to involve 3 or more visits;

(b)

provision of 3 or more permanent fillings;

(c)

endodontic treatment;

(d)

provision of a veneer, inlay, pinlay, crown or bridge;

(e)

any surgical treatment, other than the extraction of teeth;

(f)

the extraction of—

(i)

more than 2 teeth, or

(ii)

any tooth which, in the opinion of the dentist, is likely to present special difficulty;

(g)

provision of general anaesthesia or sedation in connection with any item of treatment;

(h)

provision of a prosthetic appliance;

(i)

orthodonic care and treatment.

(4)

Where a dentist accepts the transfer of a continuing care arrangement, in accordance with regulation 13, he shall provide the patient with the information specified in sub-paragraph (1)(a)(ii) to (iv) and assume the obligations set out in sub-paragraph (1)(c) to (f).

(5)

Where a dentist is informed that the dentist to whom a patient has been referred under paragraph 12 has died and is aware that the particular care and treatment for which the patient was referred has not been completed, he shall inform the patient and refer him to another dentist in accordance with paragraph 12 for the completion of that care and treatment.