Dental services
Who provides dental services in Shetland?
A range of Dental services are provided by the NHS Shetland Public Dental Service (PDS) and independent NHS-committed practices.
The NHS Shetland Public Dental Service exists primarily to provide dental care for patients identified as belonging to Vulnerable Groups. These include children, people with learning disabilities and people in care.
In Scotland the first point of contact for NHS dental treatment is usually expected to be the General Dental Service (GDS), which is mainly provided by independent dentists offering the full range of NHS treatment and is suitable for the majority of patients who require standard treatments such as examinations (check-ups), fillings, extractions, crowns and denture work, as well as providing emergency care.
PDS Clinics
The Public Dental Service has dental clinics in Lerwick (Montfield Dental Clinic), Brae, Whalsay, and Mid Yell, in addition to services at Gilbert Bain Hospital (GBH) . The GBH Dental Suite is located on the ground floor, with its own Reception Desk in the Out-patients Department.
- Brae Dental Clinic (Monday – Friday, 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm), Brae Health Centre, Brae, ZE2 9QQ. 01806 522461
- Dental Suite (Gilbert Bain Hospital) (Monday – Friday, 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm), South Road, Lerwick, ZE1 0TB. 01595 743681 Reception isn't staffed every day, depending on the type and amount of clinics operating. Alternative contact: Montfield Dental Clinic.
- Montfield Dental Clinic (Monday – Friday, 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm), Burgh Road, Lerwick, ZE1 0LA. 01595 743200
- North Isles Dental Clinic (Monday – Friday, 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm), Mid Yell Health Centre, Yell, ZE2 9BX. 01957 702031
- Whalsay Dental Clinic (Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 3.30pm), Whalsay Health Centre, Symbister, Whalsay, ZE2 9AA. 01806 566469
'Out of Hours' Contacts
NHS 24 provides urgent health advice when your dentist or doctor is closed. Telephone number: 111 (Calls are free from landlines and mobiles)
What is a dental emergency?
- pain,
- infection,
- trauma, or
- any worrying patch in the mouth.
Who to contact for a dental emergency
- If you are registered with one of the dental practices in Lerwick then please contact them for emergency care.
- If you are not registered with a dentist in Shetland / visiting Shetland, contact Montfield Dental Clinic 01595 743200 for initial assistance during office hours. Outside office hours call NHS24 on 111.
- During office hours: immediately contact the dental surgery where you are registered.
- Outside office hours: immediately call NHS 24 on 111 and/or go to the Gilbert Bain Hospital Accident and Emergency department in Lerwick.
