We have created the following answers to common questions we are being asked.
I handed in my form a few weeks ago and I have not heard anything yet
We are delighted that in excess of 5,000 people have shown an interest in being a patient at this new Dental Practice. We are currently processing the details of those patients. We will be sending out routine check up appointments to each of you. However it may take up to one year before we are able to have seen everyone. You will be either telephoned or sent an appointment in the post.
Will I be registered with your dentist as I was a former patient here?
You will need to fill in a form with your personal details. This will enable us to send you a routine check up appointment.
Do I get priority appointments because I was registered with the former dentists?
Unfortunately not. The new Contract is designed to increase access for all patients on an equal basis. We are planning to develop a private dental service and for those patients who are interested in receiving their dental work privately it may be possible to see a dentist sooner as a private patient than as an NHS one. Please ask the Receptionist for details.
What happens if I have toothache?
We have made provision for patients with toothache to be seen as an emergency here at the Health Centre Dental Practice. These appointments are bookable only on the same day. Occasionally it may be that these appointments are fully booked. In this case the Emergency Access Clinic at Chippenham Hospital would be an option. The contact telephone number is 01249 456628. Alternatively it may be possible for you to be seen as an emergency private patient. Please ask the Receptionist for details.
Will I get recalled every six months?
The new Dental Contract suggests that those patients with good oral health should not require six monthly check ups. If this is the case you are more likely to be offered a check up once a year or perhaps once every two years. If there is a clinical need i.e. your teeth are vulnerable to rapid decay then six monthly check ups will be offered on the NHS. If you would like more frequent check ups than the NHS can offer then you need to consider whether you should have your teeth looked after as a private patient.
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