Are you taking new NHS patients?

This is something that changes within each practice, from time to time. It can be, however, that a certain dentist may have fulfilled their NHS commitment, so will only be able to see private patients. Again, this can vary frequently. It is recommended, therefore, that you make contact with the practice you'd like to visit, and ask them what their situation is at the time you are looking to make a booking.

How long will it take to secure an appointment?

Obviously, this will differ from practice to practice and even Dentist to Dentist, as it will depend how busy they are and how far in advance they are booked. This will also depend on whether you are wanting an NHS or Private appointment. Due to the high demand of patients already on our NHS database, these appointements will need to be booked further in advance. Fortunately, most Dentists are able to offer fairly short waiting times for all types of private treatment, occasionally even immediate treatment, if we have a cancellation.

What if I have tooth ache?

We do not like to know that any of our patients suffer with pain, and so we make every effort to try to see our patients as quickly as possible in an emergency. If you have pain that needs this type of urgent attention, be sure to phone your practice as early in the morning as you can to see if you can secure the first available emergency treatment times. Out of hours, you can call the following numbers: Kent - Dentaline, 01634 890300 and East Sussex - NHS Dental Helpline, 03001000899.

What are the current NHS charges?

If you or your partner is in one of the following categories you may qualify for FREE NHS dental treatment or partial exemption from NHS charges:

NHS charges are fixed by the government and those patients who pay for their treatment will pay for it depending on what treatment you need. Currently there are three bands of treatment:

Band 1 costs £17.00 for an examination, X-Rays, Oral Hygiene instructions and cleaning if clinically necessary.

Band 2 costs £47.00 for the above fee and any dental treatment not requiring dental laboratory work eg. fillings, extractions or root canal treatment.

Band 3 costs £204.00 and this would include both of the above and/or laboratory work if it's required eg. dentures, crowns, bridges and bite plates.

For NHS treatment, you will be asked to pay the Band 1 fee either when you attend your consultation or before you see the Dentist and Private treatment fees are payable as you go but we may take deposits for long appointments or in advance for lab work, so please be prepared to pay when requested.

Will I know what to expect to pay for private treatment?

We provide service to our clients transparently and without pressure. Your Dentist will discuss various treatment options suitable for you and you will be given a full treatment plan which will thoroughly outline what your complete treatment is and how much it will cost. No treatment should be undertaken without your prior consent.

What about confidentiality?

This is a matter we take very seriously and ensure that we abide by strict legal guidelines. Only staff members have access to patient information. If you would like to see a copy of this policy, please ask at your relevant reception.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

We realise that in certain circumstances it is not possible to keep your appointment. However we'd ask that, wherever reasonable, you would give us 24 hours notice. We may charge a levy for missed or late appointments, or if it is a regular occurance you may lose your NHS space, as we need to ensure treatment time, that is valuable to others, is not wasted.

How will I know that my Dentist will provide excellent treatment?

We are extremely fortunate to have a highly skilled team of Dentists who provide outstanding clinical treatment. It goes without saying that they are all registered with the General Dental Council and have therefore met the requirements to practice competently in the UK. They attend courses through a mandatory programme for continuous professional development which assists them in continually achieving new levels of success. They are supported by a very organised team of Dental Nurses, Receptionists and Managers who ensure that levels of service are consistently high. Because we have a large pool of Dentists, each with their own areas of special interest, it means you can complete various treatment options without having to be referred out of the practice.

Do you offer finance?

For private treatments over £500 we offer interest free finance. This is subject to credit checks, but is usually processed promptly, within 24hours.

What happens if I am not happy?

If you've been pleased with your treatment please recommend us to others. We welcome new patients. If however, you have not been satisfied, we encourage you to discuss this with the Dentist or Practice Manager who will help you and if necessary, follow through with our Complaints Procedure. If you are not comfortable to do this, why not write, in confidence, to the General Manager who will deal with the matter personally.