NHS

SERVICE

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The NHS provides preventative and restorative dental care for patients.  Our contract does not allow for cosmetic dentistry, however our private dentists can see any patient interested in cosmetic treatments.  Enquire at reception for more information.

CLINIC INFO

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All eligible children under the age of 18 (or 19 if still in full time education) are seen free of charge on the NHS, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 

We have limited availability for adult care within our NHS contract and are only able to offer this service on Mondays from 9 am to 5 pm.  Emergencies can be seen subject to availability Tuesday to Friday for assessment and treatment as necessary.  If you have an emergency please call early in the day for the best availability options.

WAITING LIST INFO

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Currently our adult clinic is at capacity therefore we have a waiting list in operation from which patients will be invited to be seen on a first come first served basis as and when we have availability – enquire at reception for information on how to join the waiting list.  The list is periodically closed when it becomes excessively long.

LINK TO NHS CHOICES

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In the event that you cannot wait to be seen and we are unable to see you, you can find NHS availability near to your home by accessing the NHS website: Click Here.

RIGHT & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PATIENT

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(The Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) Lay Advisory Group)

Oral healthcare is a two-way process between you, the patient and the staff who care for you. You have the
right to expect high quality care but there are things you can do to help ensure you get this.
As a patient, you can expect…

• dental professionals to put your interests first and to act to protect you
• to receive treatment on the basis of your clinical need
• to take part in all decisions about your treatment and to have the pros and cons of treatment, including
any risks, side effects and alternative methods of treatment, fully explained
• to be encouraged to ask questions about your diagnosis and treatment and to receive clear information in
writing
• to be told what aftercare you will need and how long this should last and the anticipated outcome
• to be given a method of contact (telephone number, email address) and the name of someone you can ring
with any further queries
• to be able to request a second opinion
• to see clearly displayed in dental practices indicative prices on a range of relevant services, including
National Health Service (NHS) and private patient fee levels
• to be informed about all the costs, if any, involved in advance of your treatment and receive itemised
costing details in written treatment plans
• to see clearly displayed in practices what services are available under the NHS and what services the
practice provides privately and to understand if your treatment will be provided under the NHS or privately
• to be treated by an appropriately trained and experienced member of the dental team or one under the
close supervision of a suitably experienced member of staff
• to know the names and professional status of all the staff involved in your care
• to choose whether you see dental and other healthcare students or not, or take part in any trials, surveys
etc.
• to be treated in an environment that is safe and clean
• to be able to request information on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and hospitalacquired infections (HAI) and how they affect patients and is managed in the hospital environment
• to be treated with courtesy and with respect for your privacy and dignity
• to have details about you, including your medical records and anything you say treated in confidence and
except where required by law to be given an opportunity to decide whether your details can be passed to
anyone else
• to be given access to information kept about you
• to be able to choose to have a relative or friend with you during consultations, examinations and, where
possible, treatment
• staff to understand that you might be feeling anxious and vulnerable and that this may affect the way you
behave
• to be given an appointment date and time or to told when an appointment is likely to be
• to be informed on arrival at an appointment if delays are occurring and to receive an explanation why
• to receive an explanation and, where appropriate, an apology if things go wrong
• to be able to complain if you are unhappy with the treatment you receive and to be given the name of
someone who can help you with this if you wish.

As a patient, you have a responsibility…

• to treat the staff who care for you with courtesy and respect at all times

• to inform the dental practice or hospital at once of any change in contact address or telephone number
• to attend appointments given on time or give reasonable notice of inability to attend
• to attend follow up appointments as requested
• if receiving NHS treatment, to understand that there are pressures and limitations of resources on the
health service and those working within it
• to give staff full information about any medical conditions including permanent disabilities, along with
details of any medicines you are taking
• to let the staff know if you have any allergies or sensitivities to medications
• to tell staff about any change in your health that could affect the treatment you are having
• to take any medicines as instructed and seek dental or medical advice before stopping or changing
treatment
• to consider the consequences of refusing treatment or not following dental or medical advice and accept
responsibility for your own actions
• to tell staff if you are uncertain or don’t understand any aspect of your treatment
• if there are charges for your treatment, to pay them at an appropriate time or via a payment plan agreed
with the dental practice
• to use the out-of-hours emergency dental service with discretion and only in genuine cases of emergency
• to treat other patients with courtesy and respect
The Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) wishes to acknowledge work undertaken by the Patient Liaison
Group of The Royal College of Surgeons of England to produce the original document Patients’ Rights and
Responsibilities from which this document is adapted.

OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCY CONTACTS

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It is the responsibility of NHS England to commission services for Out-of-Hours treatment for NHS patients.  Please contact the NHS Helpline on 111 for out of hours care.

REVIEWS

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“An efficient and friendly dental practice with reliable, experienced and highly professional staff.  Highly recommend.”