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

Duration and extension of a continuing care arrangement

8.—(1) Unless extended under sub-paragraph (3), a continuing care arrangement shall lapse after a period of 2 years beginning on—

(a) the date on which the patient is first accepted by the dentist under the continuing care arrangement; or

(b) where the arrangement is extended in accordance with sub-paragraph (3), the date on which it is so extended, or is last so extended.

(2) A continuing care arrangement—

(a) may be terminated by the dentist or the Health Board in accordance with paragraph 11;

(b) shall terminate where—

(i) the patient enters into a continuing care arrangement with another dentist;

(ii) the patient enters into an arrangement with the dentist or another dentist whereby the whole of the care and treatment which might otherwise be provided under the continuing care arrangement is to be provided privately;

(iii) the dentist is suspended by direction of the Tribunal and the Health Board does not within the period of one month beginning with the date of the Tribunal’s direction arrange for it to be transferred to another dentist under regulation 16.

(3) A continuing care arrangement may be extended, with the agreement of the patient and the dentist, at any time when the dentist is providing care and treatment during the currency of the continuing care arrangement.

(4) Where a continuing care arrangement is extended, the dentist shall assume the obligations set out in paragraph 4(1)(c) to (f).