Staff 2023

Thank you for the amazing feedback on our new dentists who joined in September 2023!

November 2023 saw dental nurse Sophie C. leave us after 6 years, we will miss her very much.  In mid-October, Caitlin joined the dental nurse team, and Shania joined as a trainee dental nurse on 4/12/23.

Well done to Gemma and Becky who completed their dental nursing qualifications!

September 2023 saw a change of receptionists, Maz joined us to replace Camilla.  We welcomed our new associate dentist, Arlene who served both NHS and private patients.

At the end of August 2023 we said goodbye to Daisy and Raj. September 2023 welcomed Asmah and Yas, two excellent graduates from Queen Mary London university, both who already made good impressions with their patients early on in their time here.

March 2023 we said goodbye to dental therapist, Amy Greatwood.  Previous Patient Feedback demonstrated our patients' fondness for Amy and her treatments; we wish her and our apprentice nurse Lolli all the best for their futures.

Dr Rahul Faujdar provided some locum dentist sessions to ease the turnover period.

2023 began on the 3rd January with several staff recovering from contracting Covid-19 over the festive holidays.

Face Masks Optional
From the 1st June 2023, the reception team no longer asked patients to wear a face covering.  Instead patients and visitors may wear one if it makes them feel more comfortable.  Masks are provided free-of-charge on entrance to the ground floor reception room.

Please note that our Covid-19 precautions still require all persons that enter the dental practice to wash their hands.  Refusal to do so when asked can result in your registration being reviewed and even suspended.

We still ask persons suspected or known to have Covid-19 not to enter the building and to ring the reception team on 01449 771 700 for instructions.

In winter 2023, we were aware of the increasing numbers of people contracting the flu and COVID, and recommended all those able to get vaccinations to do so.

Our staff have taken Covid-19 vaccinates and boosters.  
We encourage everyone to follow government advise and accept the vaccine when offered it.

Building Renovations
In 2023, we replaced the garage's asbestos roof with something more environmentally friendly - well done Kris Loomes!  We hope everyone liked the fresh paint job on the outside of the building - well done Reynolds & Ruston Ltd.!

Failure to Attend, and Was Not Brought
Since the introduction of our new computer system with its appointment reminder facility, we see less patients failing to turn up for their dentist and hygienist appointments.  Thank you.

We remind all patients, especially those making family appointments, to provide (or reconfirm) mobile and email contact details with the reception team.

Should you be unwell or be able to attend your appointment, please contact the reception team ASAP. Doing so may allow your appointment slot to be given to another patient.

Failure to attend (*) may result in you being de-registered from our dental practice and you being charged for the missed private appointment. 

*Children who are not brought to their dental appointment by their parent or guardian.  Note the NICE guidance in section 1.3 of Public Health England Safeguarding in general practice - A toolkit for dental teams.

Since September 2023, our computer system have allowed us to monitor the children who were not brought to their dental appointment.  The reception staff follow up on non-attendance and, when necessary, report to local safeguarding leads.

Private Fees
Since October 2023, we have been analysing the impact of recent gas and stock price rises and renovation expenses. Many of our support staff received pay rises in April 2024 which were higher than inflation due to the government's mandatory 'minimum wage' policy.  The majority of our dental laboratories increased their prices in early 2023, having been impacted by the rise in energy costs and staff wages, and the price of precious metals.  Additionally, the cost of dental materials, equipment maintenance, and disposal service costs have also increased.  For example, gloves are now three-times what they were pre-Covid-19.

Our electricity and gas prices significantly increased in January 2023 (and also later in 2023); we try our best to reduce our consumption or to explore alternative energy sources available to Listed Buildings.

The government increased the NHS band fees charged to patients by 8.5% from Monday 24th April 2023. On 1st April 2024, we introduced new private price guide for dental examinations and treatments. (though the government has yet to uplift the payments to dental practices - information correct as of 5/7/2024).  

We have tried to keep somethings unchanged (e.g. online booking, Airflow consumables, composit veeners). Notice we kept the 30 minute routine and 40 minute direct- access (new) private hygiene services unchanged.  Our fees are continuously reviewed.

Should customers wish to consider spreading the price of their treatments - please let the reception team know when you visit the reception desk or use the private payment plan survey. With sufficient interest, we may introduce a payment plan at a later date. 

17/05/2023 : Clarified the child private hygienist appointment fee.

Older news regarding fees:
On the 1/9/22 we had to make a small increase to some private denture fees to account for unexpected laboratory charges and the higher cost of gold.  We clarified the appointment deposit, online booking fee, and penalty charges on our printed fee list.

On the 1/4/2022, the private dental prices changed.  All private hygiene treatments now include Airflow. Proving successful with patients, the cost of up to two intraoral X-rays is included in the routine dental examination fee.  We have added some new treatments. We continue to offer discounts for children under 18 years when accompanied by a fee paying adult. Then in July 2022 we included provision for online booking (£1.50 non-refundable booking fee) and we extended the new dentist exam to 30mins and, like routine examinations, this includes in the cost up to two intraoral (small) X-rays.

The private fees were updated on the 1st January 2020, to reflect both the world increase in precious metal (e.g. gold) costs and associated laboratory price rises and staff wages since October 2018. Recent change includes the impact of the UK Government's decision to increase the National minimum and living wage by over 6% in April 2020, and of course the Covid-19 situation.

Our private prices are very competitive. To improve affordability to families we discount child examination prices by 50% to those under 18 years old (and children under 5 years free) when they accompany a private fee paying adult.

Notes:

• The fee price guide was edited on 14/2/2020 (version 11alt) to better describe the Airflow treatments.  There is no change to price.
• The cost of soft and hard bite raising appliances was changed, £90 and £270, respectively to reflect the cost of laboratory fees.  4/3/2020 (version 12).
• Minimal wage and Covid-19 change, 15/6/2020 (version 13).

Independent dental hygiene appointments normally require a financial deposit.  Should you fail to attend, or cancel within 24 working hours of the appointment, the full cost of the treatment will be charged.