This section explains what you can expect when your child comes for their first dental appointment.
All of our new patients are assessed at one of our consultant/specialist led clinics. These are usually held every day, Monday-Friday.
Changing or cancelling your appointment
Please call us on 020 7188 7188 extension 50202.
Please tell us as soon as possible so we can offer your appointment to another patient.
Before your appointment
Please complete the children's medical history form (PDF 250Kb).
Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time. If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, we may not be able to see you.
We make every effort to see you on time. For your first visit, please allow up to three hours for your appointment.
At your appointment
Investigations
Our new patient clinics allow you to have a consultation with a specialist or consultant in children's dentistry.
If your child needs further investigations, these will be discussed with you. For example, your child may need:
- x-rays
- clinical photographs
- blood tests.
Some of these may be carried out on the same day as your appointment, but you may need an appointment in another department for other tests.
We may also ask you to have some tests before coming to the clinic for a review appointment.
After your appointment
Most patients receive a diagnosis on the day of their appointment and treatment options will be discussed with you. If your child needs treatment in the department, future appointments will be arranged for this.
Other children's dental services
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General anaesthetic treatment
If your child requires care to be provided under general anaesthetic this take places on a different day to your child's first appointment.
Day case operations under general anaesthetic take place at:
Dental Day Case Unit
Floor 23, Tower Wing
Guy’s Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 7EH
An alternative inpatient general anaesthetic service for children with medical conditions is also run at Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
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Emergency dental service
Our dental department and the dental service at King's College Hospital provide a walk-in emergency service.
This is for children with pain or infection, bleeding from the mouth or those who have injured their teeth (eg trauma) and require urgent care.
Opening times
- The Dental Centre, St Thomas' Hospital: 9-11am, Monday-Friday (except public holidays).
- King's College Hospital: 8.45-11am and 2-3.30pm
How to access the service
If your child has a dental emergency, seek advice from your dentist in the first instance.
Your child may not be seen if it is not deemed to be an emergency. Your child’s dentist must provide you a written referral letter to enable our team to determine if your child would be eligible for care by our emergency service.