Accessing the service


The North West Community Dental Service is a referral only NHS dental service.

This means patients cannot book directly with us - instead, a health or social care professional must refer you if you meet the criteria for specialist community dental care.

We accept referrals for children and adults who need additional support to receive dental treatment safely and comfortably.

Who can refer?

Referrals can be made by:

  • general dental practitioners
  • general medical practitioners (GPs)
  • hospital clinicians
  • community health professionals
  • social care professionals
  • other approved healthcare providers

We do not accept self referrals.

Referral forms for health professionals

Cheshire and Merseyside referrals

Our services include:

  • adults and paediatric (children) special care
  • paediatric exodontia (children’s extractions)
  • minor oral surgery (removal of difficult teeth e.g. wisdom teeth)
  • conscious sedation service for anxious adults

Adult and children’s special care can be short, medium or long term care.

Sedation for adult patients is short term care only and extractions for paediatric patients is short term care only.

Referrals for paediatric exodontia, minor oral surgery and conscious sedation for anxious adults should be made via the Dental Referral Management Service (DRMS).

Referrals for adults and paediatric (children) special care should be made on the Adult and child special care referral form and posted to the Cheshire and Merseyside area dental clinic site you wish to refer to.

Greater Manchester referrals

Our services vary by area and include:

  • adults and paediatric (children) special care
  • paediatric exodontia (children’s extractions)

Referrals should be made via the Dental Referral Management Service (DRMS).