§01Pricing & coverage

NHS dentistry in England operates on three fixed bands: Band 1 (check-up, scale and polish, x-rays) is £27.40, Band 2 (fillings, extractions, root canal) is £75.30, and Band 3 (crowns, bridges, dentures) is £326.70 as of the April 2025 uplift. Private fees in Stonehouse typically run £55–£90 for an examination, £120–£220 for a composite filling, £450–£900 for a crown, and £2,200–£3,000 for a single implant. Children, under-19s in full-time education, and pregnant women receive free NHS care. Medicines prescribed during treatment are regulated by the MHRA and dispensed under standard NHS prescription charges.

§02Emergencies & out-of-hours care

Outside surgery hours, registered NHS patients should phone their practice's answerphone for the duty-dentist message; unregistered patients call NHS 111, which triages dental pain and books urgent slots through the Gloucestershire dental access service. The nearest A&E for trauma involving facial fractures, uncontrolled bleeding or airway compromise is Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on Great Western Road in Gloucester, roughly 15 minutes by car. Dial 999 (or 112) only for life-threatening emergencies — swelling closing the airway, significant haemorrhage, or jaw trauma after a road collision. Stroud Minor Injuries Unit does not treat dental pain.

§03Frequently asked questions

Can I register with an NHS dentist in Stonehouse right now?

Availability fluctuates. Several Stonehouse practices have intermittently reopened NHS lists since 2024 as Gloucestershire ICB redistributed contract activity from neighbouring Stroud, but waits of several months are common. NHS 111 maintains the live access list for the county; calling individual practices directly often surfaces cancellation slots faster than the central system. Children are usually accepted ahead of adults, and pregnant women qualify for priority registration under the maternity exemption.

Are private dental plans common locally?

Yes. Denplan and Practice Plan capitation schemes are widely offered by the High Street practices, typically £18–£35 a month depending on oral health rating, covering two examinations, hygienist visits and a discount on restorative work. These are the dominant private payment route in Stonehouse, ahead of pay-as-you-go private fees.

Where do complex cases get referred?

Oral surgery, orthognathic work and paediatric general anaesthesia cases are referred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital's maxillofacial unit in Gloucester. Implants beyond routine single-tooth cases sometimes travel to specialist centres in Cheltenham or Bristol. NHS orthodontics for under-18s scoring IOTN 4 or above is contracted to specialist practices in Stroud and Gloucester rather than Stonehouse itself.

Is fluoridated water supplied in Stonehouse?

No. Severn Trent Water supplies Stonehouse and does not add fluoride; natural levels are well below the 1 ppm threshold. Local dentists therefore tend to recommend 1,450 ppm fluoride toothpaste for adults and supervised brushing for children, and may apply fluoride varnish twice yearly for higher-risk paediatric patients under NHS Band 1.

Do any Stonehouse practices offer IV sedation?

Conscious sedation with IV midazolam is not routinely available in the town's six practices. Anxious patients are usually referred to sedation-trained colleagues in Stroud or Gloucester, or via the Gloucestershire Community Dental Service for patients with additional needs or severe phobia.

§04Safety note

This directory is informational only and is not medical advice. Always consult a licensed dental clinic for diagnosis, treatment planning, and individual clinical decisions.