Item 5 (Extraction), Item 6 (Sedation) and Item 7 (Prosthesis)

Section V - Extractions

5-(a) Extractions

• Extraction fees are per tooth.
• There is no longer an additional fee for each visit required where multiple teeth are extracted within a course of treatment.
• If a patient returns for an unscheduled appointment to manage abnormal postoperative haemorrhage, then a claim can be made under item 1-(c) for each appointment required.
• No fee can be claimed for the removal of sutures placed by the same dentist (see same dentist interpretation in Section XII – Interpretation in the SDR).
• If the patient requires removal of sutures placed by another practice or secondary care facility, then a claim under item 1-(c) can be made.

5-(b) Surgical Extractions, 5-(c) Advanced Surgical Dentistry

• No fee will be payable unless appropriate radiographs are available.

Section VI - Sedation

6-(a) Sedation Assessment

• Dentists can claim for a completed sedation assessment for both adults and children even if the patient does not proceed with treatment or you determine that they are not suitable for treatment within primary care.

6-(b) Sedation

• A fee is claimable for each appointment in which the patient receives sedation in connection with NHS dental treatment.
• A sedation fee is only claimable where the patient receives NHS treatment in that appointment and cannot be claimed in connection with the provision of private treatment.
• Sedation fees are only claimable for intra-venous or inhalational sedation and not for oral sedation.

Section VII – Prostheses

7-(a) Acrylic Denture (partial); 7-(c) Cobalt Chrome Denture

• Removable denture pricing for partial dentures is still based upon the number of teeth.

7-(b) Acrylic Denture (full)

• No longer a specific code for full/full dentures.
• Item 7-(b) should be claimed for each denture if providing full/full dentures, for example, for an upper and lower acrylic denture under item 7-(b), claim G004 and G004 on the same claim.

7-(d) Special Tray

• Special trays may be claimed under item 7-(d) in connection with acrylic or cobalt chrome denture construction.

7-(e) Addition, Hard Reline or Repair of a Denture

• Please note patient fees now apply to denture repairs.

7-(f) Soft reline of a denture

• Item 7-(f) cannot be claimed by the same dentist within 3 complete calendar months of providing item 7-(a), 7-(b), or 7-(c).

7-(g) Acid Etched Splint (per union)

The SDR provides the following changes to claiming acid etched splints:

• Item 7-(g) can be claimed for the provision of an acid etched splint for:
  • splinting of avulsed, luxated or mobile teeth, designed to allow primary healing to take place; or
  • palliative care of periodontally involved teeth for the alleviation of symptoms where it is in the interest of the patient to avoid extraction.
• Item 7-(g) includes the provision of all necessary materials and removal of splints.

7-(h) Laboratory Made Soft Splint / Fluoride Tray / Trauma Retainer / External Bleaching Tray (per appliance)

• External bleaching tray is only claimable in connection with item 3-(k) Internal Bleaching. The benefits of combination internal/external bleaching of a root filled tooth are recognised and item 7-(h) will support this.
• This is not to be used as a tray for the general whitening of teeth which remains unavailable under NHS arrangements.

7-(i) Laboratory Made Hard Splint (per appliance)

• Hard occlusal splints are singled out as a separate item because the value of hard splints is acknowledged and are sometimes prescribed by secondary care specialists for provision by primary care dentists.