Disclaimer
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, much of our work is being completed through video and telephone consultation.
Welcome to the Dental and Oral-maxillofacial Trauma Psychology Service
Our team of specialist Psychologists have joined with services in the Royal London Dental Hospital, and Whipps Cross Hospital, to provide psychological pathways of care for individuals of all ages undertaking dental, oral and maxillofacial treatments. This may involve support around expectations and understanding of surgery, working through the psychological impact of oral health, dental and facial conditions, working with people who have had dental anxiety or phobias, building coping skills as well as supporting with any other psychological concerns that may relate to your dental or surgical care.
We provide individually tailored support to service users, and their families, in the aim of improving adjustment and holistic health.
How can A Psychologist help me?
Psychologists are trained healthcare professionals who help people cope with psychological difficulties, such as anxiety, fears, phobias and low mood. We work with people that may have complex mental health needs, physical disabilities or learning disabilities.
Psychologists use a wide range of psychological treatments that are evidence-based. One of these is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which can be used to treat dental/medical fears, particularly for patients who have difficulty participating in dental treatment due to anxiety or mental health needs. In our service we also offer Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is a treatment aimed at supporting people who have experienced trauma. Your therapist will work with you using the approach that best fits for you.
How can I access DOT-Psychology Services?
If you would like to engage with a DOT-P Psychologist, you can speak to the clinician involved in your dental, oral or maxillofacial care. Please be aware that we will get in touch if you agree to the referral. You are able to change your mind at any point, without this affecting your care or treatment.
What happens when I am referred?
We will contact you to arrange an appointment for an assessment. During the assessment, the Psychologist will talk with you about your concerns and how we may be able to help you. If therapy would be useful, the Psychologist will arrange further appointments with you.
The first appointment will be an assessment and is generally about getting to know you. At this stage you will have the first opportunity to tell us your story and any concerns you may have. Together your therapist and you will think about what you might need, whether therapy will be helpful and explore the goals you would like to work towards.
Appointments
Appointments typically last between 30 minutes to one hour, and are usually held on a weekly or fortnightly or monthly basis. We offer appointments Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm. Therapy can be delivered face to face, by telephone or video. Please let the Psychologist know if you have a preference or are unable to access one of these options.
You can find out more about the Dental Psychology team, and their work, by reviewing the information on this website.
A note on confidentiality
Your visits with the Psychologist and information on your appointments are private and confidential; we use a central recording system for our clinical notes which are only accessed healthcare professionals that are directly involved in your care. If there is something you would not like the psychologist to share with other professionals, please discuss this with us directly. If we believe that you or someone that you know is at risk or unsafe, we have a legal responsibility to share this with relevant professionals. In such cases, we will do our best to discuss this with you first, although this may not always be possible.
Please follow this link to find out more about the Royal London Dental Hospital, alternatively you can view Barts Dental on Instagram @barts.dental. You can access Bart's patient information leaflets using the following link: Patient information leaflets - Barts
Please note we are not an emergency mental health service. We are unable to respond to any urgent mental heath concerns.
If you are in crisis, please contact your GP, the NELFT crisis team on 0800 995 1000, or please attend your local A&E Service.
You can also telephone Saneline* on 0845 767 8000 (12noon - 2am).
*Residents of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham or Havering.
