Dental Referrals: When and Why Your Dentist Refers You

By the team at Bollington Dental Practice, under the clinical direction of Dr Ellie Burrows, Principal Dentist. Updated October 2026.

Being told you need a referral can leave you with more questions than answers. Is something seriously wrong? Why can your own dentist not do it? How long will you wait, and will it cost more? For most people a referral simply means the treatment needs equipment, training or a setting that a general dental practice does not provide, and it is a sign your dentist is making sure you get the right care. This guide explains the common reasons, how NHS and private referrals differ, and what usually happens next.

The short answer

Your dentist refers you when your care needs something beyond what they can safely or appropriately provide in the practice. Common reasons include complicated extractions such as some wisdom teeth, orthodontic treatment with fixed braces, severe dental anxiety, suspected mouth cancer, and some complex root canal or gum problems. Referrals can be through the NHS or private, and waiting times vary widely. Your dentist should explain why you are being referred, where to, and what happens while you wait.

Common reasons for a dental referral

Complicated extractions. Most teeth can be removed in a general practice. Some cannot easily, such as a wisdom tooth that is deeply buried, lying at an awkward angle or sitting close to the nerve in the lower jaw. These are often referred to an oral surgery service, either in a hospital or in a community clinic. Our guide to wisdom teeth removal costs explains what affects the price and the options.

Orthodontics. Many practices refer for orthodontic treatment, particularly fixed braces. At Bollington Dental Practice we offer ClearCorrect clear aligners, from £2,499, for suitable patients, but we do not provide fixed braces, so if they are the right option for you, we will refer you. NHS orthodontic treatment is available for under-18s who meet clinical need criteria, and our guide to braces costs in the UK covers the private options.

Severe dental anxiety. Most nervous patients can be treated in the practice with time, explanation and an approach that puts them in control. For a small number of people, anxiety is severe enough that treatment is not possible in a normal appointment, and a referral to a service that offers extra support can help. We do not provide that additional support in house, so we refer when it is needed. Our page for nervous dental patients explains how we help in the practice first.

Suspected mouth cancer. If your dentist sees something that could be cancer, such as an ulcer that has not healed in three weeks, a red or white patch, or an unexplained lump, they can make an urgent suspected cancer referral to a hospital team. Most of these referrals turn out not to be cancer, but checking quickly matters. Our guide to mouth cancer signs lists what to look out for.

Complex root canal treatment. Most root canal treatment is carried out in general practice. Teeth with curved, blocked or unusually shaped canals, or a previous root filling that has failed, are sometimes referred to a dentist with additional training and equipment in that area.

Advanced gum disease. Gum disease is usually managed in practice with deep cleaning and good home care. If it continues to progress despite this, your dentist may refer you for more advanced treatment.

Medical reasons. Some medical conditions or medicines, such as certain blood thinners, bone medicines or treatment for cancer, can make dental treatment more complicated. In some of those cases a hospital or community dental service may be the safer place for treatment, and your dentist may also need to speak to your GP or hospital team.

Children and people with additional needs. Community dental services and hospital children’s dental departments care for children and adults whose needs are greater than a general practice can meet.

NHS and private referrals: how they differ

NHS referrals. Your dentist sends a referral, often through an electronic system, to an NHS service such as a hospital dental department, a community dental service or a practice contracted for that type of care. The referral is reviewed, and it may be accepted, redirected to another service or returned with advice if it does not meet the service’s criteria. Waiting times for some NHS services, such as orthodontics and oral surgery, can be long and vary by area. Charges depend on the service, and the clinic will tell you if any apply.

Private referrals. You can also be referred privately, usually to a practice or clinic where a dentist with additional training and experience in that area works. Waits are often shorter, but you pay the provider’s fees, which they set. Ask for a written estimate before treatment starts, and do not be afraid to ask your dentist about your options.

Whichever route you take, you remain a patient of your own dentist for routine care unless you are told otherwise. Keep up with your examinations and hygiene visits while you wait, because a referral for one problem does not stop others from developing.

Dental hospitals: what they do and how to get seen

Dental hospitals and hospital dental departments provide complex treatment, care for patients with significant medical needs, and teaching for future dental professionals. Some teaching hospitals offer treatment by supervised students, which can be a route for certain types of care, though places and waiting lists vary.

Most dental hospital clinics only accept patients who have been referred by a dentist or doctor. You cannot usually book an appointment yourself, although some run urgent care clinics with their own rules. If you need urgent help and do not have a dentist, NHS 111 can tell you what is available in your area.

What to expect after you have been referred

Your dentist explains. You should be told why you are being referred, where, and roughly what to expect. If anything is unclear, ask, and it can help to write down the name of the service.

The letter or message. Your dentist sends details of the problem, any X-rays and your medical history. If you are referred privately, the clinic usually contacts you directly to book.

Triage and the wait. The receiving service decides how urgently you need to be seen. Routine referrals can take weeks or months. For urgent suspected cancer referrals, the aim in England is that most people are told whether or not they have cancer within 28 days of referral. This standard replaced the old two-week-wait target, though you may still hear that name.

The consultation. The first appointment is usually an assessment. You may have X-rays or scans, discuss options and agree a plan. Treatment may be on the same day or at a later date.

Back to your dentist. Once the referred treatment is finished, your care usually returns to your own dentist, who receives a letter about what was done.

When to get urgent help while you wait

Do not sit tight if things get worse. Call your dentist if pain is building, a wisdom tooth area becomes swollen or tastes bad, or a mouth ulcer or patch changes. If you have swelling of the face or neck that affects your breathing, swallowing or the area around your eye, call 999 or go to A&E. When your practice is closed, NHS 111 can advise. If you have been referred urgently and have not heard anything within the time you were told, contact the service or your dentist.

What it costs here

Much of what people expect to be referred for is carried out in the practice. Extractions start from £126 and root canal treatment from £305. Our new patient examination is £89 including X-rays, and it is where we assess what you need and whether a referral is the right step. If it is, we explain why, and the receiving service will tell you its own fees or NHS charges.

Frequently asked questions

Why would my dentist refer me?

Usually because the treatment needs equipment, training or a setting that a general practice does not provide. Common reasons include difficult wisdom teeth, fixed braces, severe dental anxiety, complex root canal or gum problems, medical conditions that complicate treatment, and anything that could be mouth cancer.

Can I refer myself to a dental hospital?

Usually not. Most dental hospital clinics only see patients referred by a dentist or doctor, although some run urgent care clinics with their own rules. If you need urgent help and do not have a dentist, NHS 111 can tell you what is available locally.

How long does a dental referral take?

It varies with the service and how urgent your problem is. Routine NHS referrals for oral surgery or orthodontics can mean waits of months in some areas, while private referrals are often quicker. Urgent suspected cancer referrals are prioritised, with the aim of a diagnosis or all clear within 28 days.

Does a referral mean something is seriously wrong?

Not usually. Most referrals are for treatment that is simply more complex or needs a different setting, such as a buried wisdom tooth or fixed braces. Even urgent suspected cancer referrals most often turn out not to be cancer, but they are made so that serious problems are found early.

Not sure whether you need a referral?

An examination is the place to find out, and we will always explain our reasoning. Call us on 01625 574609. New patient examinations are £89 including X-rays, with every price on our fees page.

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