Dentists
Hest Bank Dental Centre
3 Marine Drive,Hest Bank,Lancaster, Lancaster LA2 6DZ
Overview
Hest Bank Dental Centre is a dental practice located in Hest Bank, a coastal village near Lancaster in Lancashire. Based at 3 Marine Drive, the centre provides general dental care services to the local community and surrounding areas. The practice is situated in a convenient location with access to the village's amenities and local transport links.
The dental centre offers a range of services typical of NHS and private dental practices, including routine check-ups, preventative care, tooth cleaning, fillings, and other general dentistry treatments. The practice aims to provide accessible dental healthcare to patients of all ages, from children through to adults and elderly patients requiring ongoing dental support.
Patients can contact the practice to register as new patients or to book appointments for dental examinations and treatments. The centre operates during standard business hours throughout the week, making it a local healthcare resource for residents of Hest Bank and the wider Lancaster area seeking professional dental care and oral health services.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can register at Hest Bank Dental Centre in Lancaster by calling 0777 337 2113, visiting the practice in person, or completing a registration form on their website. Unlike GP registration, you do not need to live within a catchment area to join an NHS dentist — you can register with any practice that is accepting NHS patients. You will be asked for your name, date of birth, address, medical history, and details of any medications you take. Your first appointment will usually include a full dental examination.
NHS dental places can be limited and availability changes frequently. Contact Hest Bank Dental Centre directly on 0777 337 2113 to check whether they are currently accepting new NHS patients. If Hest Bank Dental Centre is full, you can call NHS 111 or use the NHS website (nhs.uk) to find other NHS dentists near Lancaster accepting new patients. You do not need a referral — simply contact the practice.
If you are registered at Hest Bank Dental Centre, call 0777 337 2113 during opening hours for an emergency appointment. Outside surgery hours, call NHS 111 for advice — they can direct you to the nearest emergency dental service. Go to A&E only if you have uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, or trauma to the face or jaw. For dental pain at home, take over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol), rinse with warm salt water, and apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek.
NHS dental charges in England are set nationally and apply at Hest Bank Dental Centre. As of 2024, Band 1 (check-up, diagnosis, X-rays, scale and polish if needed, preventive advice) costs £26.80. Band 2 (fillings, root canal treatment, extractions) costs £73.50. Band 3 (crowns, dentures, bridges) costs £319.10. An urgent dental treatment charge is £26.80. If you need more than one treatment in the same course, you only pay the highest band. You may be entitled to free NHS dental care if you are under 18, under 19 and in full-time education, pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, receiving certain benefits, or hold an HC2 certificate.
Yes, Hest Bank Dental Centre welcomes children of all ages. NHS dental care is free for all children under 18 (or under 19 if in full-time education). Services include regular check-ups, fluoride varnish applications (recommended from age 3), fissure sealants to protect back teeth, fillings, extractions, and orthodontic assessments. It is recommended to take your child to the dentist from when their first milk teeth appear (around 6 months) or by their first birthday. Early visits help children become comfortable with the dental environment.
Hest Bank Dental Centre aims to be accessible to all patients. Contact the practice on 0777 337 2113 to confirm wheelchair access, ground-floor surgery availability, accessible parking, and any other adjustments you may need. Under the Equality Act 2010, dental practices are required to make reasonable adjustments for patients with disabilities. If you have mobility, sensory, or communication needs, let the practice know in advance so they can prepare for your visit.
Yes, you can transfer to Hest Bank Dental Centre at any time. Simply contact the practice on 0777 337 2113 to register as a new patient. Your dental records will be requested from your previous practice. If you are mid-treatment at another practice, it is best to complete that course of treatment before transferring, as a new course of treatment at Hest Bank Dental Centre may incur a new NHS charge.
If you have a concern about your care at Hest Bank Dental Centre, speak to the practice manager first — most issues can be resolved informally and quickly. If you wish to make a formal complaint, write to the practice manager with details of the issue within 12 months. The practice must acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days. If you are not satisfied with the practice response, you can contact NHS England (for NHS treatment complaints), the General Dental Council (GDC) if you have concerns about a dentist's fitness to practise, or the Dental Complaints Service for private treatment disputes.
Hest Bank Dental Centre may offer private dental treatments alongside NHS care. Common private options include tooth-coloured (white) fillings on back teeth, porcelain crowns and veneers, tooth whitening, dental implants, invisible braces (such as Invisalign), and private hygienist appointments. Private treatment is not subject to NHS band charges and is priced per procedure. Ask Hest Bank Dental Centre for a written treatment plan with costs before starting any private work so you know exactly what to expect.
Hest Bank Dental Centre follows strict infection control protocols as required by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Department of Health. Measures include sterilisation of all instruments using autoclaves, single-use disposable items (gloves, masks, suction tips) for every patient, surface disinfection between appointments, hand hygiene protocols for all clinical staff, and regular infection control audits. These measures protect patients and staff from cross-infection. You can ask to see the practice's infection control policy if you wish.
Yes, Hest Bank Dental Centre has dental hygienists who provide professional cleaning (scale and polish), stain removal, advice on brushing and flossing techniques, treatment for gum disease, and fluoride treatments. On the NHS, a scale and polish is included in a Band 1 check-up if your dentist deems it clinically necessary. Some patients choose to book additional private hygienist appointments for more thorough cleaning — ask Hest Bank Dental Centre about private hygiene fees.
Tooth whitening is not available on the NHS as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. However, Hest Bank Dental Centre may offer private tooth whitening services. Professional dental whitening is safe when carried out by a registered dental professional and typically involves custom-made trays with whitening gel for home use, or in-surgery whitening. In the UK, only registered dental professionals can legally carry out tooth whitening. Ask Hest Bank Dental Centre about private whitening options and pricing.
Your dentist at Hest Bank Dental Centre will recommend a recall interval based on your individual oral health needs. NHS guidelines (NICE) recommend check-ups every 3 to 24 months for adults and every 3 to 12 months for children and young people under 18. If your teeth and gums are healthy, you may only need to visit once every 12-24 months. Patients with gum disease, a history of decay, or other risk factors may need more frequent visits. Your dentist will advise the best interval for you at each appointment.
Generally, you need to be registered with an NHS dental practice to receive routine care. However, any NHS dentist must provide emergency treatment if you are in pain, even if you are not registered with them. Contact Hest Bank Dental Centre on 0777 337 2113 to ask about emergency availability for non-registered patients. If you cannot find an NHS dentist, call NHS 111 for help finding one near Lancaster.