The Community Dental Service in South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland provides a full range of dental treatment for patients of all ages who have difficulty in accessing general dental services (high street/family practice).

We aim to provide high quality dental care locally for patients with a wide range of special needs. This includes individuals who are medically compromised or have mental health issues; adults and children with severe learning disabilities or physical disabilities and children with behavioral management issues.

We also carry out oral health promotion and epidemiology and we work closely with education, social and other health care professionals.

Where patients have learning difficulty or cognitive impairment, inhalation sedation or intravenous sedation may be useful.

We carry out treatment under general anesthesia in a hospital setting for young children or for adults with special needs.

We have specialist equipment such as wheelchair recliner, hoists and transfer aids.

Certain medical conditions can increase the risk in having dental treatment and our team is experienced in dealing with these.

Our team includes specialists in special care dentistry, dentists, therapists, hygienists, dental nurses and oral health promoters. We are skilled in behavior management techniques and cater for individual needs.

The Oral Health Promotion Team carry out a range of oral health programmes to raise awareness and improve the oral health of people living in South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead. The team also support national campaigns throughout the year such as National No Smoking Day, National Smile Month and National Mouth Cancer Action Month.

Who we are 

David Newall 
Directorate Manager

Sally Burton 
Matron 

Rachel Lish
Safe Care Lead

Marie Holland
Clinical Lead 

Barbara Appleby
Dental Nurse Manager 

Where we are based

Our clinics are based at:

  • Blaydon Primary Care Centre
  • Wrekenton Health Centre
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital 
  • South Tyneside District Hospital
  • Palmer Community Hospital
  • Monkwearmouth Health Centre 
  • Washington Primary Care Centre
  • Houghton Health Centre

Please note that NHS dental charges do apply to patients attending our service. 

Locations for Community Dental Service in Gateshead:

  • Blaydon Primary Care Centre, Blaydon, 0191 5026750
  • Wrekenton Health Centre, Gateshead, 0191 5026750
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, 0191 5026750

Locations for Community Dental Service in South Tyneside:

  • South Tyneside District Hospital, South Shields, 0191 5026750
  • Palmer Community Hospital, Jarrow, 0191 5026750

Locations for Community Dental Service in Sunderland:

  • Monkwearmouth Health Centre, Sunderland, 0191 5026750
  • Washington Primary Care Centre, Washington, 0191 5026750
  • Houghton Health Centre, Houghton-le-Spring, 0191 5026750

Referrals 

The service will accept appropriate referrals for any person who lives in Gateshead, South Tyneside or Sunderland, or from any Health or Social Care professional.

Referrals should be made to our central office:
Referrals Coordinator
Clarendon House
Windmill Way
Hebburn
Tyne & Wear
NE31 1AT

Tel:  0191 5026750
Fax: 0191 4041347

communitydentalsotw.electronicreferrals@nhs.net

Patients and referrers can expect to be sent an offer letter for an assessment appointment within four weeks.

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