Information for patients
The information below has been largely taken from the Primary Care Contracting (PCC) document - A step-by-step guide to setting up a DwSI service. PCC supports the development of primary care across all Primary Care Trusts in England.
Find out more about Primary Care Trusts on the NHS Direct website.
Jump to Section:
What are Dentists with Special Interests?
Many dental services that have traditionally been carried out in hospitals can now be offered locally within the dental practice by appropriately trained and experienced practitioners known as 'Dentists with Special Interests' – or DwSIs for short.
In addition to their day to day general work, DwSIs can offer patients a wider range of treatments than those normally provided by a high street dentist.
A DwSI provides a service which is complementary to the hospital services, but does not replace that provided by a dentist who has undergone the training to become a 'specialist'.
All DwSIs are experienced dentists who have built up the knowledge and skills necessary for their special interest field over a period of time. A DwSI will refer you to a specialist or consultant if necessary.
What additional services do DwSIs provide?
The services and treatments that might be provided by a DwSI include straightening teeth, treatment of the gums and treatment of injuries and diseases affecting the tooth root. A number of minor operations, such as the extraction of wisdom teeth, can also be carried out by a DwSI where appropriate.
Why have I been referred to a DwSI?
Being referred to a DwSI means you will get a choice over where you are seen - usually at a dental practice close to where you live. It also means you will be seen quicker as you won't have to wait for an appointment with a hospital consultant. There are wider advantages as well: the hospital consultant's time is freed up for handling only the most complex cases, reducing waiting time for the patients who need to see them.
Will I receive the same standard of treatment if I choose to see a DwSI rather than wait for a hospital appointment?
A DwSI does not offer the same range of clinical services as a hospital consultant. However, a DwSI will be required to provide treatment to the same standard expected from an established consultant.
Will there be any additional charges for treatment by a DwSI?
Being referred to a DwSI does not necessarily mean that there will be any additional charges to pay. Most work by a DwSI will fall into the 'band 2' level of the NHS patient charges. If your dentist has already carried out treatment for you within this band, there will be no further charge if you are referred to a DwSI to carry out more treatment within the same band.
There will only be an extra charge where your dentist has carried out treatment for you within band 1 before referring you to the DWsI. In this case, you will need to pay your dentist the additional top-up fee into band 2 before your referral to a DwSI. To find out more about NHS charges, read the information on dental services on the NHS Direct website.
What extra qualifications do DwSIs have?
All DwSIs are experienced practitioners who have built up the knowledge and skills necessary for their special interest field over a period of time. Before they can be appointed, all DwSIs have to provide their Primary Care Trust with evidence of their skills in the form of training qualifications and/or proof of practical experience in their special interest area.
Are DwSIs the same as specialists or consultants?
No – DwSIs, specialists and consultants each have different roles and backgrounds.
A DwSI has gained the appropriate training in his/her special interest either through previous experience or via a formal training programme. In order to have been appointed as a DwSI, he/she will have had to submit evidence of this experience and/or training to their local Primary Care Trust.
- A specialist is an independent dentist who has successfully completed specialist training. As a result, he/she has obtained specialist qualifications which makes them eligible for inclusion on a 'specialist list' held by the appropriate professional regulatory body. In the case of dentistry, this body is the General Dental Council (GDC).
- A consultant is a specialist appointed by an 'advisory appointments committee' on the basis of their training and qualifications. As well as leading clinical teams, they provide guidance to general practitioners and other colleagues and advise hospital management on the efficient and smooth running of specialist services.
- Anyone admitted or seen in an NHS hospital, including dental patients, comes under the clinical responsibility of a named consultant who takes full responsibility for their care until they are discharged.
Will there be list of DwSIs held by the GDC?
No.'Dentist with a Special Interest' is not a 'protected title' registerable with the GDC. The term 'Dentist with a Special Interest' refers to an appointment (or role given) by a Primary Care Trust, rather than a qualification or protected status.
Can I still see a consultant if I want to?
Yes - you can still choose to see a hospital consultant, although it may take longer for you to be seen. Also, after seeing a DwSI, he/she might decide your condition needs to be dealt with by a consultant and may refer you.
How do I know if the DwSI scheme in my area is being run properly?
The DwSIs scheme is overseen by the Department of Health and Faculty of General Dental Practice(UK), who have published national guidelines and competencies to ensure the quality and safety of care for patients at all times (see the Information for dentists page).
The DwSI scheme was developed with the help of expert groups and patient representatives, and is part of a wider NHS programme which has already seen special interest services introduced for GPs, nurses and allied health professionals. In these areas, patients are already benefiting from faster and more convenient access to secondary health care services, without unnecessary referral to hospital. This, in turn, has helped take the pressure off hospitals.
Will all Primary Care Trusts have a DwSI scheme?
Not necessarily. A DwSI scheme is an option that Primary Care Trusts may consider when deciding how to best meet the needs of patients in their area. It could be that a Primary Care Trust may decide not to employ DwSIs if they feel it is not the best way to meet local needs.
Further information
If you live in England and would like to find out if there is a DwSI scheme in your area, contact your local Primary Care Trust.
 Find the details on your local PCT
If you live elsewhere in the UK and would like to know more about DwSI schemes (or equivalent) in your local area:
Visit NHS in Scotland
Visit NHS in Northern Ireland
Visit NHS in Wales
If you would like to know more about the role of a DwSI:
Contact the FGDP(UK)'s Development Officer, Sally Hunter
| 
