10個健康樂耆年小貼士(二)︰關注牙齒健康 10 tips for ageing better (2)︰Look after your teeth

Source: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/10-tips-for-ageing-better/

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/health-services/dental-services-for-older-people/

10个健康乐耆年小贴士(二): 关注牙齿健康

怎樣保持牙齒及牙齦健康？

最簡單的做法便是每日刷牙2次，以及每天使用牙線清潔牙縫，去除牙縫間的殘留食物，能有效預防牙周病。殘留的食物能造成牙齦酸痛或出血，牙周病與糖尿、中風、心臟病及類風濕關節炎息息相關。

請定期檢查牙齒，以及讓牙醫為你檢查假牙或牙套的鬆緊程度(如適用)。

我需要多久做一次牙齒檢查？

根據你牙齒及牙齦的健康，你的牙醫會決定你多久做一次牙齒檢查。一般大約相隔12至24個月，有時可能只相隔6個月。

你的牙醫會確實你的牙齒沒有衍生其他問題，以及指導你如何預防牙齒問題，例如預防牙周病的方法。

如何找到NHS的牙醫資料？

你可以使用NHS的網頁搜尋位於你附近的牙醫，牙醫不設有特定的服務範圍，即是你可以根據個人需要，尋找某一個地區的牙醫服務，可以就近於你的住所、工作地點，或是其他便利的地點。

你可能會發現某些牙醫設有NHS服務預約輪候名單，或某些牙醫並不再接受新NHS服務使用者的登記。請聯絡多幾個牙醫診所，找一個能夠接受新NHS服務使用者的登記。

你的地區內可能有一些牙醫診所，能夠為沒有固定NHS牙醫服務的人提供服務。請聯絡你的NHS地區團隊，了解你在所的地區有沒有這項服務。

現時一些私營牙醫診所，同時提供包括NHS及私營服務的預約模式，當牙醫所有NHS的服務預約時段額滿後，可能會提供私營預約服務，但服務收費將會不同於NHS服務。

若果你有特別的健康狀況或其他身體上的障礙，導致你難以使用區內的牙醫服務，你所在的地區可能有公共牙科服務。這些公共牙科服務設有適合患有身體障礙人士使用的牙科設備，團體亦有已受訓的牙醫，能提供特別的牙科治療。

你亦可以致電英格蘭NHS 熱線 0300 311 2233查詢有關你所在地區的服務。你牙醫或家庭醫生亦可能會為你提供相關的服務轉介。

尋找NHS牙醫

你可以透過NHS網頁，找出你所在地區的NHS牙醫

在NHS網頁內搜尋
如你未能找到NHS的常規牙醫服務，請按此聯絡NHS地區團隊

如何尋求緊急或辦公室時間以外的診治？

請向你已登記的牙醫查詢，找致電NHS111 熱線，詢問有關最就近的協助。

NHS牙科治療的收費如何？

服務收費按牙科治療的種類而訂，越繁複的治療，所收取的費用越高。建議接受治療之前，先查詢整個治療的收費。

如果你或你的伴侶正在接受以下的補助，你的牙醫治療是免費的:

Guarantee credit part of Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Universal Credit, if you meet the criteria.

以下情況，牙醫服務亦不會收費:

你正在NHS醫院留醫，由醫院內的牙醫提供治療；
你使用的是NHS醫院內為非住院病人提供的牙科服務；

如你符合NHS低收入計劃資格，你可能可以享有免收費或收費減免的治療。在預約服務時，請通知櫃檯職員有關你獲補助資料。

如你需要繳交治療費用，請參考以下三個級別的收費指引︰

緊急及第一級別︰£23.80 (in 2021)

包括緊急治療，例如舒緩痛楚或臨時牙齒填補；亦包括基本檢查，例如X光；以及其他預防性的治療，例如在牙齒表面塗上氟化物及溝隙填封劑。

第二級別︰£65.20

包括任何進一步治療，例如補牙、杜牙根或剝牙。

第三級別︰£282.80

包括更繁複的治療程序，例如加牙冠套、度身訂造假牙或牙橋。

私營牙科治療收費如？

牙醫如提供私營治療，將會按他們的收費標準收費，請預先清楚所需預約及治療的收費。請留意不少牙醫同時提供NHS及私營治療，他們必須清楚向你講解有關NHS及任何私營診治的收費。

How can I keep my teeth and gums healthy?

Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. Floss helps to prevent gum disease by removing pieces of food and plaque from between the teeth. If it’s left to build up you might notice sore or bleeding gums, and gum disease can also be linked to diabetes, strokes, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Have regular check-ups and, if you wear dentures or have a bridge, ask your dentist to check that they fit properly.

How often should I have a check-up?

Based on the health of your teeth and gums, your dentist will decide how often you should visit them for a check-up; the recommendation is likely to be between 12 and 24 months, although it can be as often as every six months.

Your dentist will make sure there are no problems developing and tell you how to prevent future problems, such as gum disease.

How can I find an NHS dentist?

You can search for a dentist near you using the NHS website. Dentists don’t have specific catchment areas. That means you can find a dentist to suit you in any area, whether that’s your home, work, or another convenient location.

You may find that some dentists have a waiting list for NHS appointments. Others may not be able to take on new NHS patients at all. Contact several practices to find one who can.

Your area may also have a dental access centre, which can treat people who don’t have a regular NHS dentist. Contact your local NHS Area Team if you aren’t sure what’s available in your area.

There are also private dentists and those who offer a mixture of NHS and private appointments. A dentist who has all their NHS slots filled may have private appointments available, but these will be charged differently to NHS appointments.

If you have a medical condition or disability that makes it difficult to use a local dental surgery, there may be a community dental service. These services have easy access into the surgery, or other adaptations suited for people with physical disabilities. They also have dentists who have received training in treating patients with special requirements.

Contact NHS England on 0300 311 2233 to find out if there is a service in your area. Your dentist or GP may need to refer you to a local service.

Search for an NHS dentist

You can use the NHS website to find NHS dentists in your local area

How can I access treatment in an emergency or out of normal working hours?

If you have a regular dental practice, speak to them for advice or call NHS 111 for details of the nearest available help.

How much does NHS dental treatment cost?

The cost depends on the type of dental treatment – more complicated procedures are more expensive. Check what the exact charges are for a full course of treatment before you have anything done.

Dental treatment is free if you or your partner receive any of these benefits:

Guarantee credit part of Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Universal Credit, if you meet the criteria.

Dental treatment is also free if:

you are staying in an NHS hospital and the treatment is by a hospital dentist, or
if you are an NHS hospital dental service outpatient.

You might be eligible for free or discounted treatment if you qualify for the NHS low income scheme.

Let the receptionist know that you receive a benefit when you make an appointment. You may be asked to show proof.

For those who need to pay for dental treatment, there are 3 charging bands.

Emergency and Band 1︰£23.80 (in 2021)

Covers emergency care such as for pain relief or a temporary filling. Also covers standard examinations, X-rays, and treatment to prevent problems such as fluoride or a sealant.

Band 2︰£65.20

Covers any further treatment such as fillings, root canals or tooth extractions.

Band 3: £282.80

Covers more complicated procedures such as crowns, dentures, and bridges.

How much does private dental treatment cost?

Dentists offering private treatment will have their own charges – always clarify with them beforehand what the appointment and treatments will cost.

Remember that many dentists may offer both NHS and private treatment. However, they must be clear with you about the associated costs for NHS and any private treatment you agree to.

怎样保持牙齿及牙龈健康？

最简单的做法便是每日刷牙2次，以及每天使用牙线清洁牙缝，去除牙缝间的残留食物，能有效预防牙周病。残留的食物能造成牙龈酸痛或出血，牙周病与糖尿、中风、心脏病及类风湿关节炎息息相关。

请定期检查牙齿，以及让牙医为你检查假牙或牙套的松紧程度（如适用）。

我需要多久做一次牙齿检查？

根据你牙齿及牙龈的健康，你的牙医会决定你多久做一次牙齿检查。一般大约相隔12至24个月，有时可能只相隔6个月。

你的牙医会确实你的牙齿没有衍生其他问题，以及指导你如何预防牙齿问题，例如预防牙周病的方法。

如何找到NHS的牙医资料？

你可以使用NHS的网页搜寻位于你附近的牙医，牙医不设有特定的服务范围，即是你可以根据个人需要，寻找某一个地区的牙医服务，可以就近于你的住所、工作地点，或是其他便利的地点。

你可能会发现某些牙医设有NHS服务预约轮候名单，或某些牙医并不再接受新NHS服务用户的登记。请联系多几个牙医诊所，找一个能够接受新NHS服务用户的登记。

你的地区内可能有一些牙医诊所，能够为没有固定NHS牙医服务的人提供服务。请联系你的NHS地区团队，了解你在所的地区有没有这项服务。

现时一些私营牙医诊所，同时提供包括NHS及私营服务的预约模式，当牙医所有NHS的服务预约时段额满后，可能会提供私营预约服务，但服务收费将会不同于NHS服务。

若果你有特别的健康状况或其他身体上的障碍，导致你难以使用区内的牙医服务，你所在的地区可能有公共牙科服务。这些公共牙科服务设有适合患有身体障碍人士使用的牙科设备，团体亦有已受训的牙医，能提供特别的牙科治疗。