I wrote to my dentist…
On June 2nd is sent this to you and I have not had a response:
‘Hold on… Are you stating that you are happy to provide cosmetic treatments but not regular check ups?’
I now want you to provide me with a clear response indicating why you on the one had state that ‘We continue to ensure that your safety’ and ‘we have pledged to ensure that we provide as many of the dental services that you want and need’ but that you are not taking patients for check ups. That you are therefore not screening for a range of illness and dental health issues but that you are offering cosmetic services.
Am I witnessing the final nail in the coffin of NHS dentistry with £££’s driving business rather than patient health? Throughout the pandemic I have consistently called in to ask for a check up and the response has been that you are not providing that service. I have two missing fillings, no pain so no problem, but likely I have deteriorating oral health, as will all of your NHS customers, and I now demand a date from your practice for when you will recommence the regular check up service that has been missing since March 2020.
This is the shitty email that prompted my questions…
| As the country begins to open up once more …We wanted to remind you about some of the changes that we have made in your dental practice over the last year and also to remind you about the treatments that we can provide for you to make sure you maintain good oral health and that you are able to achieve the smile that you want. We continue to ensure that your safety is our first priority making sure that all of the extra measures that we have put in place throughout the last year are now a permanent part of our daily routines and also, we have been busy vaccinating our teams and completing twice weekly lateral flow tests. Additionally, we have pledged to ensure that we provide as many of the dental services that you want and need either within our own practice or we can quickly and simply refer you to a Specialist or special interest dentist, in one of our nearby sister practices before welcoming you back to your own dentist for continuing care.Treatments Available  Visits to our Hygienist Dental hygiene plays a major part in preventing oral and systemic diseases such as dental decay, diabetes and heart issues and we aim to promote better understanding and awareness of this.Our hygienists carry out professional cleaning of your mouth and advise you about any necessary treatment which may include:Specific oral hygiene methods to help you control the bacteria that collect on your teethChecking for any oral health issues such as gum diseasePrevention of bleeding gums and bad breathRemoval of stains, plaque and tartarHealthy eating adviceProviding support if you wish to give up smokingCare for your dental implantsDirect Access Hygiene For your comfort and convenience, you can now see our Dental Hygienist directly, without the need to see a dentist first.Dental hygiene plays a major part in preventing oral and systemic diseases such as dental decay, diabetes and heart issues and many patients are choosing a ‘direct-access’ to a hygienist appointment as a convenient way of benefitting from regular hygiene treatments. Our Dental hygienists have advance training in the prevention and treatment of gum disease and play a vital role in helping our patients to understand the health benefits of regular hygiene treatments and if they feel that you would benefit from a dental examination by a dentist, you will be advised of this  Tooth WhiteningTooth Whitening is easy and cost-effective and works by lightening the natural colour of your teeth safely and without removing any of your natural tooth structure. With several brands to choose from, did you know that the most effective products for Tooth Whitening should only be prescribed by a qualified dentist?Tooth Coloured Fillings Tooth coloured fillings can be used as an alternative to silver amalgam fillings so that your teeth look natural at all times. Our tooth-coloured fillings are free from mercury and made from a composite resin material that is colour matched to the shade of your teeth.  Short Term Orthodontics(e.g. Invisalign® or Six Month Smiles®) Short term orthodontics is our most popular choice to create your perfect smile, quickly and discreetly. Near- invisible aligners are used to gently guide your teeth into position without the appearance of traditional braces and are suitable for mild to moderate dental irregularity, crowding or spacing of the teeth.Orthodontic Treatment Orthodontic treatment is treatment to improve the appearance and alignment of crooked, protruding or crowded teeth and also to correct problems with the bite of the teeth. Orthodontic treatment usually involves treatment with braces however the exact treatment will depend on the problem with your teeth. We have a range of different options for private orthodontic treatment depending on the complexity of treatment and type of appliances used.Dental Implants Dental implants can help you to replace lost teeth and fill any gaps, rebuilding your smile, confidence and chewing ability making sure that you can eat the foods you like, and participate in an active lifestyle, without worry about your teeth.Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics) Endodontic treatment is a straightforward treatment which will relieve pain caused by infection or inflammation in the centre of a tooth. This can be triggered by trauma, deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or a crack or chip in the tooth. During endodontic treatment the pulp inside the tooth is carefully removed and the tooth is then cleaned and disinfected thoroughly, to prevent further infection, before being filled and sealed. Afterwards the tooth is usually restored with a crown or filling and it will continue to function like any other tooth. Endodontic treatment prevents the loss of your tooth and helps you to maintain your natural smile, continue eating the foods you enjoy and with proper restoration and dental care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime.  Cosmetic VeneersTo improve your smile, cosmetic veneers can be a quick solution for stained, chipped, misshapen or crooked teeth. They are thin layers of composite resin or ceramic that are shaped and coloured to match your existing teeth and then bonded in place to cover any imperfections.Cosmetic Crowns When a tooth is root filled, broken or has a large filling inside it you may need to have a crown placed on the tooth to restore the look and feel of the tooth and give the tooth more structure and support to prevent further damage. Ceramic or porcelain crowns can be indistinguishable from a real tooth and will improve the shape, colour and position of your tooth.Cosmetic Bridges A dental bridge is a fixed option to replace one or more missing teeth in your mouth and it is made up of a false tooth which is bonded to either natural teeth, or implants, either side of the gap.Dentures Dentures are a simple way to replace missing teeth and are made using either metal or plastic frameworks holding single or multiple false teeth. Dentures are individually made to fit the size and shape of your mouth and can help to restore the appearance and function of your teeth. Depending on how many teeth you have missing you may have a full or partial denture and, in some cases, you may have a temporary denture while you wait for a more permanent denture, bridge or implant restoration.Sports Guards Mouthguards are recommended for all sports that involve a ball, stick or close combat and your dentists will be able to advise you which type of gumshield is best for your sport and also please remember that you also need to wear a special fitting gumshield if you wear braces.  Facial Aesthetics The term facial aesthetics is used to describe small, non-surgical, temporary treatments that make noticeable but subtle enhancements to your appearance, masking or delaying the ageing process, improving your smile or skin and giving you extra confidence.Botox* Anti-Wrinkle TreatmentBotox* treatment is a painless, highly effective treatment that will give you a beautifully rejuvenated look with a wrinkle-free complexion in a few days, lasting several months. Dermal Fillers Dermal fillers can be used to replace this lost volume, helping to reshape your skin adding volume to your cheeks, chin, temples and lips and the results are visible almost immediately with no recovery time to worry about.Finance0% Finance is available for all of our treatments over £350 and is very simple to arrange. Please speak to one of our experienced team members if you are interested in this option.Important InformationBefore you have any treatment, it is important that you have a full examination with your dentist including any necessary X-rays or scans. Your dentist will then discuss all of the options and costs with you and give you and full treatment plan. The decision to have any treatment is yours and we are here to help along the way and to provide you with the best possible dental care.Please contact us if you would like to discuss any particular treatment. We will contact you for examinations.We are always looking for enthusiastic people to join our dental practice support team in this incredibly rewarding profession. Our ideal candidates would share our vision of providing an excellent level of service to patients and enjoy working and developing within a like-minded team.We provide all training and support for our Apprentice Dental Nurses to achieve their Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing and provide post qualification courses beyond this to ensure all members of our team have the opportunity to develop their careers. View vacancies in your area |