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 Dental care
It is estimated that despite the importance of dental health, half of the adult population do not visit a dentist regularly. Irregular dental treatment often results in more extensive and, consequently, more expensive dental treatment.
Regular visits help to cut down problems - and the bills.
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Referrals
Over the years we have developed experience in all aspects of dental care, but in certain cases we may refer patients to colleagues who have special skills in certain types of treatment. For example tooth straightening (Orthodontics)
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Special services
In addition to routine treatment we offer:
- Fissure sealing - to prevent tooth decay
- Mouth guards - to protect your teeth
- Snore guards - to prevent snoring
- Cosmetic dentistry - for a better smile
- Implant dentistry - to restore
missing teeth and stabilise full dentures
- Crowns and bridges - to restore missing teeth
We offer all patients NHS or private care. This practice has recently converted into PDS practice. Personal Dental Service (PDS) was created as an initiative aimed at increasing access to NHS dental services in 1998. PDS schemes are managed through local contracts between PCTs and dentists. Funding for the schemes has been made available through the Department of Health.
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 Opening hours
Mon, Tues, Wed 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Thurs 8.00 am to 5.00pm
Fri 7.30 am to 3.00 pm
Sat 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
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Emergency service
If you are in pain during surgery hours, please telephone and every effort will be made to see you as soon as possible. If you are in pain outside surgery hours, telephone our emergency number. If you need a dentist arrangements will be made for emergency cover to be provided by a colleague.
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Financial information
- The cost of NHS treatment
- Entitlement to exemption and remission from NHS dental charges
- Our private charges
Our income from the NHS derives primarily from monthly fees for the number of patients we have on our list and for individual items of treatment. There are also some allowances for such things as continuing professional development and the level of our commitment to the NHS.
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Complaints
We have a practice complaints procedure, a copy of which is available from the reception.
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Practice policies
We have policies and procedures which ensure that the practice operates in a safe and efficient manner. These include:
- Data Protection
- Data Security
- Confidentiality
- Health and Safety
- Radiation Protection
- Infection Control
- Payments Policy
- Equal opportunities
This guide
This guide will be reviewed regularly and we will also keep the list of publications up to date.
From January 2005 we will be required by the Freedom of Information Act to respond to requests from the public to access recorded information that we hold. There are some exemptions to this right and it does not change the rights of our patients to have all of their personal information kept strictly confidential and available to them on request.
Further information
Further information on the Freedom of Information Act is available from the following websites:
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
www.lcd.gov.uk
www.foi-uk.org
www.foi.nhs.uk/practice
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