The National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1996

Completion of care and treatment under a continuing care arrangement or a capitation arrangement or treatment on referral

28.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (4), the dentist shall complete within a reasonable time any course of care and treatment under a continuing care arrangement or a capitation arrangement or treatment on referral.

(2) Where the dentist and the patient agree that the patient requires dentures, or new dentures, in consequence of treatment provided by that dentist involving the extraction of one or more teeth, the dentist shall provide such dentures within 12 months of the date of the relevant extraction or, as the case may be, the later or last such extraction.

(3) Insofar as any treatment relates to the provision of dentures, it shall not be regarded as completed unless the dentures have been delivered to, and remain in the possession of, the patient.

(4) A dentist shall not be regarded as having failed to comply with sub-paragraphs (1) or (2) by reason of any delay in completing treatment where the Board is satisfied that the delay is due to the failure of the patient to attend for treatment or that there is some other sufficient reason for the delay.

(5) Where a dentist—

(a) has been notified that a patient has been requested to submit himself for examination by a dental officer; and

(b) has not been notified that the examination has been carried out or cancelled,

he shall not, otherwise than in an emergency, provide any care and treatment to that patient and shall take all reasonable steps to facilitate the examination.

(6) Where a dentist—

(a) has been notified that a dental service committee will investigate a complaint or reference relating to the provision of general dental services by him to a patient; and

(b) has not been notified—

(i) that the investigation has been completed: or

(ii) that such committee has no objection,

he shall not, other than in an emergency, provide any care and treatment to that patient and shall take all reasonable steps to facilitate the investigation.

(7) Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a dentist carrying out any care and treatment privately.