Complain about a dental practice

How to complain about services you receive at a dental practice

Start at stage 1. Move to the next stage if your problem isn’t sorted or you’re unhappy with the response.

Stage 1 - talk to a member of staff

If you feel comfortable doing so, it’s always best to mention your concern to the member of staff you are dealing with or their manager. They may be able to sort things out for you.

There are several options:

  • your dental practice may have a complaints procedure
  • there is a Dental Complaints Service https://dcs.gdc-uk.org/ , which aims to resolve complaints and is funded by the General Dental Council
  • if you have dental treatment under the NHS, see the section about complaining to the CCG.

NHS England handle concerns or complaints relating to directly commissioned services or services provided by NHS England. This would include primary care (GPs, dentists, pharmacists and optometrists).

A complaint can be made by:

0300 311 22 33

england.contactus@nhs.net
Please email “for the attention of the complaints team”

NHS England, PO Box 16738, Redditch, B97 9PT

In British Sign Language (BSL): BSL users can talk to us via a video call to a BSL interpreter.

www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/complaint/complaining-to-nhse/

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman makes final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved by the NHS in England and other public organisations.

0345 015 403

www.ombudsman.org.uk/making-complaint/complain-us-getting-started/complaint-forms

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1P 4QP

The General Dental Council regulates dental professionals in the UK, maintaining standards for the benefit of patients

020 7167 6000

www.gdc-uk.org/

37 Wimpole Street, London, W1G 8DQ

Subscribe to the Healthwatch Bucks email newsletter