Families urged to “Stop the rot”
Blackburn with Darwen families are being urged to keep their teeth and mouths healthy by visiting their dentist.
A new campaign, called Stop the Rot, has been started to remind people that there are NHS dentists available in the borough.
People in Blackburn with Darwen have among the worst teeth in the country.
Other shocking statistics include the borough's young children have, on average, more than two rotten teeth by the age of five.
The campaign recommends parents start taking their children to the dentist from birth and make sure older children have regular check-ups.
Older people are also urged to go to the dentist to make sure their mouths are healthy especially as the risk of mouth cancer gets greater as you grow older.
Even those with dentures are urged to pop along to the dentist.
Top tips to keeping your mouth healthy (Dentists in Blackburn with Darwen)
Taking care of your mouth is important. The best way to make sure your mouth is healthy is to visit a dentist regularly.
Not only will they give you check-up to see everything is okay, and do any treatment that you need, but they will give you tips on how to keep your teeth and gums in good shape.
Children need to start going to the dentist from birth. It’s also important for older people, even if they have dentures, to go for check-ups regularly.
Please see below for information on NHS dental charges. Children under the age of 18 get free treatment.
Did you know?
There are NHS dentists available for urgent or routine care in Blackburn with Darwen.
Please call 0845 53 33 230. (calls are charged at lo-call rate). You can also fill out the form below.
Links
The charge you pay depends on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, gums and teeth healthy. You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it - either Band 1, Band 2 or Band 3 (see below). If you have to be referred to another dentist for another course of treatment you can expect a second charge. Some minor treatments are free.
The dental charges changed as from April 1
Band 1 - £17
This covers an examination, diagnosis (e.g. X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if needed and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealants. If you require urgent care, even if your urgent treatment needs more than 1 appointment to complete and you are treated at the same clinic by the same dentist, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge.
Band 2 - £47
This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth.
Band 3 - £204
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures or bridges.
You are eligible to receive free services from your NHS dentist if:
when the treatment starts you are:
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aged under 18
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aged 18 in full-time education
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pregnant, or have had a baby in the 12 months before treatment starts
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an NHS in-patient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
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an NHS Hospital Dental Service out-patient (how ever you may have to pay for your dentures or bridge)
when the treatment starts or when the charge is made:
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you are getting, or your partner gets Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
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you are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
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you are named on a valid HC2 certificate.
Your dentist or dentist's receptionist will ask for evidence that you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.
Further information and advice on help with dental costs
Registration Form
If you wish to add your details to the Dental Access Database for allocation to an NHS Dentist, please complete the required fields in the form below.
