All NHS primary care general dental practices have been asked to prioritise appointments for children. However, we know that some parents and carers have had difficulty getting an appointment for children who are looked after at a high street dentist.

Non-dental professionals can also make a direct request for a child who is looked after (0-18 years) to be offered an appointment for routine dental care in the NHS General Dental Practice.

• This request should only be used when the Carer has been unable to find a dentist through the usual routes or with the support of the Local Authority through local channels. This is not a request for children requiring urgent dental care. The attached leaflet describes the routes for accessing urgent dental care and for finding a dentist via the usual routes.

• The child must be looked after by a Local Authority in Cheshire & Mersey or Greater Manchester, and who is also be a resident in the area. The responsible LA should make the referral and the child will be offered an appointment at a dental practice participating in the pathway near to their home.

A request can be made by named contacts within each area in Greater Manchester (downloadable details attached). The child will be offered an appointment at a practice close to home.