Your local PCT is responsible for out-of-hours care and urgent NHS dental treatment. However your dentist may provide urgent treatment during normal working hours. You may be able to go for urgent treatment to one of the 50 dental access centres in England, if you live nearby. These centres may also offer the full range of NHS treatment. Appointments can be made by phone and in some cases an appointment may not be necessary. To find out in advance what you should do if you need urgent attention during a normal working day or out-of-hours, speak to your dentist or contact your PCT or NHS direct. 6. Travel to the dentist If you have difficulty using public transport or have to travel quite a distance to receive NHS dental treatment, ask your local Age Concern if there is a voluntary or community transport service that could help you. The NHS low income scheme explained in Section 12 cannot help with costs of travelling to a dentist. 7. Home visits Your local PCT decides how dental care is provided for people who find it difficult to visit a dentist because of a physical, mental or sensory disability. There may be some local dentists who can visit patients at home. As treatment options are limited if you cannot visit the surgery, it may be preferable to be treated by the Community Dental Service. Contact your PCT PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) for further information. NHS Direct can give PALS contact details. See section 15. 8. Community Dental Services The Community Dental Service (CDS) provides NHS treatment for people who may not otherwise seek or receive dental care. This includes people with learning disabilities, elderly housebound people, people with mental or physical health problems or conditions that make it difficult to receive treatment at a dental practice…

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