6.—(1) Subject to regulation 18 in providing emergency cover under a continuing care arrangement or a capitation arrangement, a dentist shall make reasonable arrangements to secure that a patient requiring prompt care and treatment will receive such care and treatment as soon as appropriate either from himself or from another dentist.
(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) a patient requires prompt care and treatment where, in the opinion of a dentist—
(a)the patient’s oral health is likely to deteriorate significantly without such care and treatment; or
(b)the patient is in severe pain by reason of his oral condition,
but the provision of emergency cover does not include any obligation to repair or replace dentures.
(3) The obligation to provide emergency cover begins on the date on which the patient and the dentist enter into the continuing care arrangement or the capitation arrangement and ceases when that arrangement lapses or is terminated.