Q. If a patient has not been seen by a dentist for three years or less can the hygienist arrange for the dentist to come in at the hygiene appointment, before treatment starts, and the dentist can then write a prescription/referral?

Strictly speaking within the GDC’s guidance, this would be allowable although this might not necessarily be regarded as being in the patient’s best interest. The dentist of course would have to examine the patient and draw up a treatment plan. Given the limited time that would be available at that first visit, this may be difficult to do, particularly if radiographs and other information would be required in order to make the ‘full’ assessment required.

Similarly this does tend to send out the wrong signal to the patient and there have been several occasions in the past where a patient has commented that they had an appointment with the hygienist before they had been seen by the dentist. Such comments from patients do leave the DCP and dentist very vulnerable.

Related questions:

Q. When a dentist refers to a hygienist can he/she give a prescription for 3/6 monthly or any regular recall appointment valid for three years? Should there be an expiry date?

Q. Is it illegal for a hygienist to treat a patient who has not seen a dentist for three years?