Frequently Asked Questions

Appointments

How often do I need a check up?

Some can get away with fewer visits, others may need more frequent visits. People with very little risk of cavities or gum disease can do fine seeing their dentist just once a year. However, people with a high risk of dental disease might need to visit every three or four months, or more.

How long will I have to wait for a routine appointment?

Each of our practices varies with the length of wait for a routine appointment. It is possible to access routine care within a few days at Grimethorpe whereas our Worsbrough practice has limited NHS access and it could be up to a month before there is availability for routine appointments. It is best to check direct with the practice in your area for further information.

Can I get an emergency appointment if I am in pain?

You will be triaged by reception of your pain and appointments allocated according to your level of pain. We endeavour to offer emergency appointments for patients currently undergoing treatment. If you are a non-registered patient requiring an emergency appointment we will do our best to accommodate you.

What happens if I forget my appointment?

If you fail to attend an appointment or cancel within 24 hours you will receive a marker. Two markers may result in no further appointment being given. To prevent this happening we ask you to give us at least 24 hours notice if you wish to cancel so we can offer the appointment to another patient.

Cost

Will I have to pay for dental treatment, and how much will it cost me?

If you are:

• Under 18;
• Under 19 and in full time education;
• Pregnant, or had a baby in the last year;
• In receipt of certain state benefits

You may be exempt and entitled to free dental treatment. If in doubt please do not hesitate to contact the practice prior to your appointment. Please see our Charges section for more details of our current prices.

Whats the difference between NHS and private dental treatment?

Many patients are confused about the difference between private and NHS dental treatment so we have outlined the differences below. The common assumption is that private dentistry is more expensive but this may not always be the case and usually the service and treatment is more tailored to your needs.

Private

• Cosmetic treatment is not available on the NHS. This means the materials/treatments which produce the best appearance are often not used. Private treatment will always give you the best possible functional and cosmetic result.
• Private treatment gives us complete freedom to provide the very highest standard of treatment and materials. We have no funding restrictions and the best more expensive material and equipment is made available.
• Certain treatments are not available on the NHS eg. dental implants
• Tooth whitening is not available on the NHS
• Your dentist will discuss your treatment options and costs and give you a written estimate before you commit to any treatment.

NHS

• NHS patients are treated with the same care as our private patients though the government does impose some restrictions and fixes the patient charges nationally.
• Treatment needs to be functional on the NHS and not for cosmetic reasons
• NHS treatment is designed to be cost effective for mass use but naturally this means more cost effective materials and laboratories are used
• We must follow government guidelines for recalling patients which may mean you may not be entitled to a check up or clean as often as you want.
• NHS cleaning is designed to ensure gum health and not to specifically remove all stains
• Appointment availability may be limited. The government imposes limits on the amount of NHS treatment each practice can provide. Once we reach our limit we may not be able to offer any more NHS treatment until the next financial year.

How do I pay for my dental treatment?

Payment may be made by cash or credit/debit card, sorry but we do not accept cheques. We ask for payment to be made before going in to see the dentist for examination and urgent appointments. Anyone requiring further treatment will also be asked to pay before they go into surgery. Payments for Band 3 courses of treatment requiring multiple appointments will be asked to pay at each stage so that the full amount is paid before going in to surgery on the final appointment. Failure to do this may result in your appointment being rescheduled. Occasionally you may require a refund. If your original payment was made by credit/debit card, then we must always refund using the same card. We cannot refund in cash if you made the original payment by card.

Oral health and treatments

Why do I need to see the Dental Hygienist/Therapist?

Dental hygienists and dental therapists are integral members of the dental team. They carry out courses of treatments recommended by the dentist who has examined the patient. They also help prevent and treat gum disease by professionally cleaning your teeth and removing plaque and tartar. They can give advice about diet and preventing tooth decay.

Why have I been sent to the Dental Therapist for fillings?

The dental therapist may treat a wide range of patients who have high treatment needs, such as those who:

• are dentally anxious
• are medically compromised
• are physically disabled
• have learning disabilities
• have high levels of untreated decay

They can handle much of the routine dental treatment leaving the dentist to perform more complicated work such as bridges, crowns and dentures.

Are silver fillings bad?

If you are concerned about the safety of mercury in silver amalgam fillings please talk to your dentist. In many cases a non metal restoration can be provided as an alternative.

Should my gums bleed when I brush my teeth?

No. Healthy gums do not bleed. Our dental therapy team are specially trained to deal with gum related diseases. Regular visits can help manage gum disease.

Can you help with my bad breath?

Bad breath (halitosis) is often caused by volatile sulphuric compounds (vsc’s) building up on the soft tissues of the mouth. A simple remedy is to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper. If the VSCs are further back in the mouth, around the tonsils, it may be a case of using a specific type of mouthwash.

Please make an appointment to see us so we can discuss this confidentially with you. We will establish if there is a problem and if it is dentally related – for example untreated dental diseases: decayed teeth, cavities or holes in teeth and/or gum disease. We can then give you appropriate advice and care.

I have a fear of the dentist. Can I be ‘put to sleep’ for my treatment?

One in four of us dread a visit to the dentist, but there are ways to overcome your fear. Some people have such bad dental phobia that they haven't seen a dentist for years, be reassured that you should find the experience more bearable nowadays.

Treatment can now be completely painless; a pre-anaesthetic gel can make the numbing experience more manageable. All our dentists are understanding and come highly recommended. Tell your dentist that you’re anxious so that they know beforehand.

If all else fails and you remain extremely nervous, ask your dentist to refer you to an NHS sedation clinic.

General

Are electric toothbrushes really better than manual ones?

Simply stated, rechargeable electric toothbrushes (or “power” toothbrushes) provide superior plaque removal to regular manual toothbrushes. And because they provide the brushing action for you, many people find using power toothbrushes easier than using regular manual ones. Additionally, with so many different types and features available, it’s easy to find one that suits your specific oral health needs.

In addition to things like your brushing technique, how often you brush and the length of time you spend doing it, experts believe that the type of toothbrush you use will directly affect how well you remove plaque. Ask your dentist or therapist for advice.

Can you make my child a gum shield?

It is important to wear a professionally made gum shield whenever you play sport that involves physical contact or moving objects. This includes: cricket, hockey and football - which can cause broken and damaged teeth.

Our dental team will be happy to make you custom-made gum shields, which will fit your mouth exactly and protect your teeth and gums properly. Unfortunately Gum shields are not available on the NHS. Ask your dentist about gum shields and always get an estimate before starting treatment. When you consider the cost of expensive dental work and the risk of losing teeth, it is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Is the practice wheelchair friendly?

All of our dental practices have wheelchair access to reception, but unfortunately some of our treatment areas are not accessible by wheelchair. If you do have any disability that you think we need to know about please give us a call before your appointment and we will do our best to put suitable arrangements in place to accommodate your needs.