PATIENT
INFORMATION LEAFLET
Welcome to our practice
Caring for our patients oral health in a friendly, homely and relaxed
environment is very important to us—but equally important is making
sure that our patients have enough information to make decisions about,
and to care for, their own teeth and gums. All dentists have to undertake
a set number of hours of continuing professional development (CPD) each
year but as members of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK)
- The Royal College of Surgeons of England, we must attain even more
CPD credits to maintain our membership of the Faculty and so ensure
our patients receive the best possible treatment. We also perform regular
clinical audit and a thorough quality assurance programme.
Dental Care - For all the Family
The Dental Healthcare Centre provides high quality private dental care
with patients being treated under Denplan Care, a private capitation
scheme. By being members of Denplan care patients pay a monthly amount
which covers all their treatment costs except for laboratory charges.
To join Denplan Care new patients need firstly to be made dentally fit,
charges being made under our individually itemised private treatment
costs. New patients to the practice will receive an initial examination
which takes approximately 30 minutes and includes an in-depth discussion
with the patient as to their needs and wishes regarding their oral health,
followed by a thorough examination including radiographs. A further
discussion then takes place to formulate a treatment plan and discuss
any options available. Subsequent to this or after a further discussion
a full written costing of any agreed treatment plan will be produced
before patients make a decision to proceed. Once any treatment required
has been undertaken the patient will then be enrolled in Denplan Care.
We
think that we have provided the best dental facilities for patients
in the North East of England and this is indicative of the standard
of dentistry we provide. These facilities and the types of treatment
and materials not available on the NHS can be viewed on our website
- dentalhealthcarecentre.co.uk. Patients will be able to wait for their
appointment in the Carlton or Cleveland Room - described as a large
country house drawing room - while their children play in the adjoining
space age play room. The Hilton, Elton, Wynyard and Crathorne treatment
rooms are homely and spacious enough to allow children room to play
whilst their parents are having treatment. Patients will also be able
to plan their next holiday using the large ceiling mounted map - beats
staring into space or counting the cracks on the ceiling.
Disabled
Facilities
Our purpose built practice was designed to be user friendly for disabled
patients and all areas on the ground floor as easily accessible by wheelchair.
Patients with other disabilities should mention any requirements to
one of our reception staff who will be pleased to help.
Fees and Remuneration
A list of both Denplan Band charges and private fees is available from
reception on request or down loadable from our websites.
Complaints Procedure
If you wish to make any comment or complaint, any member of the practice
team will be very willing to help you. This will be in complete confidence
and with the intention of ensuring that you are totally satisfied with
the outcome. If you require a private discussion about a complaint or
our complaints procedure (available from reception) please contact our
practice manager.
A
More Detailed List of Our Services
Dental Implants - a system whereby titanium is implanted into
the jaw bone under anaesthesia and teeth, as natural in looks, feel
and function as your own original ones, are built on top of the implanted
structures. They can also be used to clip dentures onto, ensuring that
the dentures are retentive and stable. Housed within the Dental Healthcare
Centre is the Cleveland Dental Implant Clinic which carries out dental
implants on referral from dentists all over the North East of England.
HealOzone Treatment - very few practices in the whole of the
UK have this facility where teeth are treated using ozone which turns
dental decay back into solid tooth. There are no injections, drilling
or filling for those teeth where it is possible to use the HealOzone
system.
Fissure Sealants - these are plastic coatings applied to a child's
posterior adult teeth shortly after they have erupted. They seal the
biting surface of the tooth and help reduce decay on these surfaces.
Cosmetic Dentistry - Latest technology has advanced and simplified
cosmetic dentistry. Light cured white fillings, white inlays, porcelain
veneers, high quality crowns, bridgework to replace missing teeth, are
but a few of our services. In many cases we now have the technology
to totally change your smile or how your teeth look.
Tooth Whitening - there are many ways to whiten teeth and to
remove unsightly stains. The safest way is to bleach the teeth but this
is not always legal due to DTI involvement. Please enquire as to the
current legal situation.
Gum Shields - to prevent tooth fracture a concussion we strongly
recommend these for all sports. Made to professional standards they
are available in numerous colours and
Dental Hygienist - this is a person trained in the treatment
of gum disease and in the prevention of tooth decay. Patients are referred
to the hygienist when it is felt that they would benefit from individual
attention regarding oral hygiene, tooth cleaning or gum problems.
Protection
We use all modern techniques of sterilisation to protect patients from
transmittable diseases. Most items, such as needles, are disposable
and all other instruments are sterilised according to recommended guidelines.
All X-ray equipment is regularly tested to ensure that patients are
exposed to the lowest amount of radiation.
Appointments
We do our best to keep to time but occasionally treatment takes longer
than anticipated. We may have to cope with emergencies. Please be prompt
for your appointment so as not to compound the situation and please
try to be patient—it may be you one day that needs that extra
care. A charge WILL be made if you fail to attend for an appointment
or are late for an appointment and cannot be seen, or if you fail to
give 24 hours notice to cancel an appointment. Further appointments
cannot be made until any outstanding balance is fully cleared. Broken
appointment charges apply to all patients. Current charges are available
on request from reception.
Payment
Patients will be given an estimate of the cost of their treatment and
this will be revised, if necessary, as treatment progresses. Payment
is required at each visit for treatment carried out at that visit. We
accept cash, cheque and debit cards (not credit cards).
Denture repairs
Denture repairs for patients registered with the practice take 24 hours.
Dentures left with us by 3.30pm Monday to Thursday will be ready for
collection after 4.30pm the next day. We also have contacts with dental
technicians where patients may take dentures to have them repaired while
they wait.
Sedation
For very nervous patients it is possible to have dental treatment carried
out with oral or intravenous sedation. For intravenous sedation a qualified
dentist or anaesthetist is brought into the practice to carry out the
procedure.
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