Are you an NHS or Private Dental Practice?

We provide NHS dentistry as well as a wide range of private treatments such as whitening, implants, Invisalign, Botox, fillers, composite bonding and sedation. 

 

Are you taking on NHS new patients?

We have very limited capacity to take on new NHS patients due to high demand, but spaces do become available from time to time which we prioritise for children, family members of existing patients, and those who have been on the waiting list the longest.

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How do I join the practice as a new NHS or private patient? 

Simply call into the practice, telephone us on 01928 56 92 93, contact us via e-mail at haltondentist@gmail.com, or complete our registration form online here.

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What's the difference between NHS and private dentistry?

NHS dentistry must provide treatment of a reasonable standard to secure and maintain oral health. Fees are set by the Department of Health and will be the same with every NHS dentist. The NHS does not provide any cosmetic treatments including certain white fillings, tooth whitening, Invisalign, implants, Botox, fillers and certain types of crowns.  Demand for NHS treatment is quite high and the wait for an appointment can vary from 1 to 3 weeks.

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Private dentistry provides the full range of treatment options. Prices are variable and negotiable, and in certain circumstances can be cheaper than those set by the NHS.

 

What dental treatment is available on the NHS and how much will it cost?

Information regarding NHS dentistry, what is available, how much it will cost, and more is available via on the NHS website.

 

Am I entitled to free NHS treatment?

Patients do not have to pay any NHS dental charges for a course of treatment if, on the first day of treatment, they are:

Under 18 years of age

Aged 18 and in full time education

An expectant mother

A woman who given birth in the previous 12 months

 

Patients are entitled to free or reduced cost NHS dental treatment if they are currently receiving:

Income support

Jobseekers allowance

Working family tax credit

Pension credit guarantee credit

Universal credit

Or are named on a valid NHS low income scheme certificate HC2 for full help

The dental charge may be reduced for patients named on a valid HC3 certificate

 

What do I do if I am an exempt NHS patient? 

Please bring evidence of your exemption at every appointment and please show the reception team so they can process your paperwork. Please note that fraudulent claims will incur a penalty charge of £100 in addition to the costs of repaying your NHS treatment.

 

What do I need to take on my first examination?

Please bring a list of your current medication and details of your current GP.  If you have previous been fitted with dentures then please also bring these with you.

 

How long do patients wait in the waiting room prior to being seen?

We try our utmost to see everyone on time. Some people are often seen ahead of time. We do ask that patients arrive a few minutes in advance of their allotted time in order to complete important documents, and that if we are running ahead of time we can see you early. If you are more than half the allotted surgery time late for an appointment, we may ask you to reappoint as otherwise we will overrun into the next patient’s appointment. If you are running late please try to let us know as soon as possible as it may be possible to juggle appointments around so that you can be seen.

 

Am I seen by the same dentist every time?

For all our patients, we try our hardest for them to see the same dentist. This allows patients to develop a rapport with their dentist which we feel is important. The NHS does not stipulate that dentist and patient has this relationship. From time to time we may have to, and reserve the right to transfer a patient from one dentist’s care to another.

 

What happens in a dental examination?

At a first examination, after your details have been entered into our database, we will run through your medical history for any dental implications. We will ask you for any reasons you may have for your attendance and then commence on an intra- and extra-oral examination. Where necessary, radiographic examination may be required to aid in any diagnosis. As we are digital, the results do not take long.

 

How do I get an emergency appointment? 

Emergency appointments are available every day. Please ring between 9am and 10am for an emergency appointment for that day. Should you have a dental emergency outside of the practice opening hours, please call the emergency out-of-hours number on 0161 476 9651. This service is provided by the Cheshire & Merseyside Local Area Team, which is responsible for commissioning dental services in this area.

 

Do you offer late night appointments?

We realise that not everyone has the option of visiting their dentist during working hours. For this reason we do sometimes provide late night appointments on Thursdays – please enquire to find out when our next available session is.

 

Are appointment reminders sent in the post? 

Most dental appointment reminders are now only sent by text message.  Please specify if you would prefer to receive a reminder letter in the post, and please keep us updated should any change occur to your mobile number.

 

Do you have disabled access? 

Our rear entrance is wheelchair accessible.  There will be a door bell which you can ring should you require further assistance.  We have two ground floor surgeries that we can treat you in should you require.

 

Is there parking at the practice?

Yes. We have a car park in the rear of the practice, and there is parking space on the road outside the practice, but this is very limited - we therefore encourage all visitors to use the free car park at the Brook Chapel on Boston Avenue (click for more information)

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Can I get to the practice by public transport?

There is a bus stop at the Halfway House pub on Halton Road, served by the 61A bus route.  Bus timetables can be found here.

 

How often should I go to the dentist?

How often we will need to see you is based on the condition of your mouth, teeth and gums. It could be as short as three months, but if you have no current problems, we might not need to see you for up to two years. We do however advise a regular visit to see the Dental Hygienist.

 

Can I cancel my appointment?

Yes you can, and we would appreciate as much advance notice as possible so that we can offer your appointment to someone else. Multiple cancellations less than twenty-four hours prior to your appointment may risk your status at the practice.

 

Will I have treatment on my first visit?

If you are in pain, we will do our best to get you out of pain.  We will do a full check-up of your mouth, chart the existing condition on our computer, take radiographs if necessary, discuss the options for your treatment and give you a written treatment plan – if you only require a small amount of treatment then, time allowing, we may complete your treatment during the same appointment.

 

Will you care for my entire family?

Yes, we provide dental care for all members of the family. If we find that any member would benefit from seeing a specialist for particular treatments, we will then consider offering a referral to a trusted colleague or clinic.

 

What are your payment terms?

We ask that patients pay after each appointment, either by cash or debit or credit card.  We offer 0% finance options for certain private treatments – please enquire for further details.

 

My gums bleed, is this normal? 

Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are infected with bacteria. If nothing is done, the infection can spread. It can destroy the structures that support your teeth in your jawbone. Eventually, your teeth can become so loose that they have to be extracted.

 

How do I maintain healthy teeth and gums?

A simple routine can help prevent dental problems: 

Brushing your teeth first thing in the morning and last thing at night with a fluoride toothpaste

Cleaning between the teeth with brushes or floss at least once a day if possible

Avoid having sugary foods and drinks as much as possible

Have regular dental check-ups

 

My teeth are getting yellow over a period of time - why is this?

The main reasons why your teeth slowly turn from white to yellow are the types of foods and drinks that you have that can stain them directly the worst offenders for doing this are strong black and coffee, also red wines and a strong curry can also cause staining.

 

What can be done to whiten my teeth?

There are several different ways that teeth can be whitened but the most effective is professional whitening by your dentist, other options are whitening toothpastes and rinses, which only lift the surface stains from your teeth and do not give as long-lasting an effect as professional whitening kits.

 

Can I eat and drink before dental treatment?

It is recommended that you eat and drink as normal before any dental treatment that you may have, never starve yourself before treatment unless you are having a general anaesthetic.

 

What should I do if I have knocked a tooth out?

The tooth will need to be re-implanted into its socket immediately so contact your dentist. In the meantime, hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off the root of the tooth in water if it's dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If that isn't possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and take it with you to your dentist as quickly as possible.

 

What should I do to cure toothache?

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth by using dental floss or similar products. If you are suffering from a painful toothache it is more than likely that you require dental attention.

 

How do you keep up to date on current techniques, technology and materials in dentistry?

We are registered Dentists, Hygienists and Nurses. We have an obligation to keep updated on current techniques, technologies and policies in Dentistry. We follow a plan of Continued Professional Development on an annual basis, which includes attendance at courses, meetings and reading journals.

 

Do you refer patients to specialists?

Whilst we are trained and equipped to handle many dental treatments, when we feel that a specialist would be better, we will discuss your needs and requirements and refer you accordingly.

 

How long after my filling should I wait to eat or drink?

One of the reasons dentists suggest you avoid eating and drinking following treatment is due to the effects of the local anaesthetic. The numbness of the mouth may cause you to inadvertently bite the soft tissues, and or scald your mouth if the temperature of the food and drink cannot be perceived. We would advise you to wait 2-4 hours until the effects of the anaesthesia have worn off.

 

How often should I brush my teeth? 

Be sure to brush thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, more often if your dentist recommends it. If you keep getting discomfort or bleeding after brushing, visit your dentist. 

 

How often should I change my toothbrush?

Worn-out toothbrushes cannot clean your teeth properly and may damage your gums. It is important to change your toothbrush every two to three months or sooner if the filaments become worn. When bristles become splayed, they do not clean properly. 

 

What should I do regularly to care for my teeth? 

Good dental health begins with you. By following this simple routine you can keep your mouth clean and healthy: 

• Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. 

• Have sugary drinks and snacks less often.

• Use a small to medium sized toothbrush. 

• Use a toothbrush with soft to medium multi-tufted, round-ended nylon bristles.

• Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

• Use small circular movements to clean your teeth. 

• Change your toothbrush regularly. 

• Clean between your teeth using dental floss or other recommended interdental products such as TePe brushes

• Visit your dentist at least once a year

 

How does smoking affect my mouth?

The nicotine and tar in smoke will stain your teeth, it will cause and accelerate gum disease which may lead to tooth loss, you may get bad breath and it also increases your risk of developing mouth and throat (and obviously lung) cancers. Smoking reduces the blood and oxygen supply to the gums. Quite often this will mean that if you smoke your gums don’t bleed (first warning sign of gum disease), even though they are very unhealthy

 

What are the signs of mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer can appear in different forms and can affect all parts of the mouth, tongue and lips. It can appear as a painless mouth ulcer that does not heal normally. If you ever have a mouth ulcer which does not heal after 3 weeks please come to see us so we can check it out. We do a thorough inspection for mouth cancer at every check-up. 

 

What's the problem with fizzy drinks? I drink sugar free fizzy drinks - surely that's safe?

Diet coke is better than ‘full fat’ coke because it has no sugar in it and therefore doesn’t cause tooth decay, however all fizzy drinks contain carbonic acid which mean you are essentially bathing your teeth in a weak acid and this destroys enamel.

 

Are dental X-rays dangerous?

The amount of radiation received from a dental X-ray is extremely small. Radiation is present all around us all the time. You get about the same amount of radiation from having two dental X-rays as you do travelling on a flight to Spain. 

 

My teeth are really sensitive. What can I do to treat it?

Sensitive teeth are usually triggered with cold food (ice cream) or drinks, or touch (toothbrush or fingernail) or sweet foods (chocolate). The pain is severe but only lasts for a few seconds. If you get pain that lasts longer than this then you may have a problem such a cavity and should see a dentist as soon as possible.

 

I can feel my wisdom teeth inside my gum but they don't seem to be able to break through. Why is that?

Your jaws may only have room to accommodate 28 teeth. So when the last of your 32 teeth - the wisdom teeth - try to erupt, there's no room.

 

Does everyone need to have their wisdom teeth removed?

No. We follow the guidelines which recommends wisdom teeth are only removed if they have caused recurrent episodes of pain, are associated with pathology or are putting the tooth in front of the wisdom tooth at risk from decay.

 

Are implants safe and how long will they last?

Implants are a safe, well-established treatment. It’s probably true to say that implants, much like natural teeth, will last for as long as you care for them.

How well you look after your implants – and whether you go for your regular maintenance appointments – will have the biggest impact on how long they will last.

 

Do implants hurt?

Placing an implant is often easier than taking a tooth out and is usually done under local anesthetic. You will not feel pain at the time but you may feel some discomfort during the week after the surgery. Sometimes we offer sedation if you are very nervous or if the treatment is complicated.

 

How can I check whether my dentist is qualified? 

A searchable list of all the qualified dentists in the UK is available via the register of the General Dental Council (GDC), the regulatory body for the profession at www.gdc-uk.org

 

I want to complain, what is your complaints procedure?

We appreciate all types of feedback, please contact us on 01928 56 92 93 or by e-mail at haltondentist@gmail.com and request to speak to the practice manager to let us know where we have let you down and we will ensure that we try and resolve your concerns directly and get back to you as soon as possible.  Our complaints policy and code of practice is available here.

 

I was pleased with the treatment I received from my dentist. What can I do next?

If you were particularly impressed with the treatment you received from your dentist you may wish to let them know by sending us an email or letter. Practices value feedback and some may publish patients' comments on their websites or in their leaflets or newsletter. You may also like to post a review on our NHS Choices page.