Our NHS Services
At Oakmead Dental Care Chislehurst, we are evolving our services to ensure we continue providing the highest quality of care to our community. Please read through the important updates below regarding our team, NHS eligibility, emergency appointments, and new technology.
Changes to Our NHS Team & Patient Transitions
To focus on treating their existing patients as effectively as possible, Dr. Conor McCloskey and Dr. Samir Patel will be closing their diaries to new bookings.
Starting August 10th, NHS patients previously seen by Dr. McCloskey and Dr. Patel will transition to our wonderful new team members:
- Dr. Zahra Ahmed: Available Mondays (16:00 – 17:30)
- Dr. Anum Chaudhary: Available Tuesdays (16:00 – 18:00)
- KC (Dental Therapist): Available Monday through Friday (15:30 – 18:00)
Meet KC, Our New Dental Therapist
By welcoming KC to our team full-time, we are vastly improving our appointment availability. KC delivers both hygiene appointments and children's NHS treatments, meaning shorter waiting times for the care you need.
NHS Care for Children & Students
We proudly welcome any patient aged 19 and under, or those in full-time education, under the NHS.
- No Parent Registration Required: A parent or career no longer needs to be registered at the practice for a child to receive treatment.
New: Weekday NHS Adult Emergency Dental Appointments
Building on our dedication to the community through our specialized homeless dental events, we are expanding our care to help local adults who are struggling to access or afford urgent dental treatment.
We are introducing weekday NHS adult emergency appointments specifically for local residents who do not have a regular dentist, find it difficult to afford care, and qualify for an NHS exemption.
Who is Eligible?
These urgent appointments are reserved for new adult patients who meet the criteria above and hold one of the following valid NHS exemptions:
- Pregnancy / Maternity: If you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months.
- Universal Credit: Subject to meeting specific net earnings criteria during your last assessment period.
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Tax Credits: Valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption certificate holders.
Please note: To receive free emergency NHS care, you must complete an eligibility declaration form and bring official, in-date proof of your exemption (e.g., benefit award letter, tax credit certificate, or maternity exemption card) to your appointment.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Emergency appointments focus on immediate pain relief and stabilizing severe issues. Contact us during the week if you experience:
- Severe, throbbing toothache that keeps you awake.
- Spreading swelling of the face, cheek, or jaw.
- Uncontrolled bleeding following a tooth extraction.
- A broken tooth causing severe pain or sharp damage to your cheek or tongue.
- Trauma to the mouth (e.g., a tooth knocked out or severely loosened).
How to Book an Emergency Appointment
If you meet the criteria and require urgent care, please contact our team directly. We have dedicated weekday slots to get you out of pain quickly, safely, and without financial stress.