At Malpas House we are always trying to keep you informed of changes in Government regulations concerning NHS dental services and changes within the practice. We welcome comments and ideas from you, the patients, as to how we may improve our services for you.

The Summer 2008 Newsletter may be downloaded in "pdf" format by "right clicking" the link below and selecting "save link" (Firefox) or "save target" (Internet Explorer)

Newsletter - Summer 2008

NHS CONTRACT - IMPORTANT CHANGES

On 1st August 2008, the practice will cease to provide NHS dental care for all NHS fee paying adults.

This decision has been taken after great consideration and has been influenced by patient comment and opinion. The service for these patients will be replaced by a private dental plan scheme of a type which the dentist will have assessed is appropriate for them having carefully reviewed dental histories and likely future needs.

The plans will deliver a practice registration together with dental health screening, preventive treatment and advice. Treatment found to be necessary above these aspects will be provided at additional cost on a fee per item basis discounted by 20% for those patients who are ‘plan members’

This decision has arisen due to the serious concerns the practice team have over the current NHS dental contract, which we feel will interfere with our ability to deliver the high quality care we believe our patients deserve.

Patients will have received a letter by the 2nd July 2008 clarifying the above arrangements and a prompt response from patients is invited. Should any patient have a query or concern regarding the plan, please contact the Malpas House Dental Plan Helpline on 01609 761863 between 10 am—1.00 pm and 2.30 pm—4.30 pm Monday to Friday inclusive.

We have managed to secure an agreement with the local NHS managers (the Primary Care Trust), who have allowed the practice to continue to deliver NHS care to children, pregnant women and nursing mums, together with adults who would not normally pay NHS patient’s charges. The PCT have indicated that this will only be allowed until the end of March 2009. We will be negotiating with the PCT in early January, hopefully being able to secure an extension to this arrangement

Failed appointments
Patients will appreciate that it is annoying if surgery time is wasted because a patient does not let us know they are not coming, particularly where we are having difficulties accommodating other ‘urgent’ or ‘emergency’ patients.
Regrettably, due to the pressures exerted by the new NHS contract, if any patient fails to attend on two appointment occasions, they will not be offered further appointments at this practice
This applies to both dentist and hygienist appointments.
Please help us to help you with this problem and avoid missed appointments and particularly, ensure that we have your current address and telephone number.

Cancelled Appointments
We apologise to any patients who may have had late cancellation of appointments during recent months. This has been necessary due to compulsory post-graduate education course attendance for all members of our team, staff meetings and also the special meetings we have had to hold regarding the preparation for our new practice dental plan scheme.

Emergency Appointment Allocation
All of the five dentists who work at the practice have very full lists and it has become necessary to prioritise emergency treatment according to clinical need. Patients who suspect they might need an emergency appointment should ring the practice between 8.50 am and 10.00 am, Monday to Friday inclusive. The experienced reception nurse will ‘triage’ the request and an appointment will only be made where genuine ‘emergency’ need exists. Routine and less urgent treatment will be deferred to a later appropriate time.
This approach should avoid lengthy waiting for genuine emergency treatment and we will not have to reduce our patient list.

Orthodontic Clinics
The practice hosts a Consultant orthodontic service provided by Mr Nigel Fox. Mr Fox will be booking his own patients through our reception diary and will be attending usually on two Tuesdays each month.

Private Treatment Items
Some items of treatment are not available on the NHS and may need to be offered to patients upon a ‘private’ basis (certain types of crowns, white fillings in back teeth and certain types of denture). Where this is necessary, the dentist will explain the treatment to you and will give you a printed estimate of likely costs. Please feel free to contact the surgery if you require further clarification of your treatment plan or estimate. Our reception team can often answer your questions or can arrange for the dentist to speak to you.

Practice Computer System Renewal
The new system is far more efficient and helps us deal with patient details and appointments more smoothly. We are also now able to securely store letters, digital photographs and x-rays on the new system. We are investigating the possibility of using text messaging to mobile phones to assist patients with appointment reminders.

Building Development
We are about to improve the car park access and also anticipate some general internal decoration during the summer..

Rudeness and abuse
We have been dismayed at the increase in abuse towards our reception staff from a minority of patients . This will not be tolerated and those patients will not be seen at this practice in future. They may seek treatment elsewhere by contacting NHS Direct by telephoning 0845 4647

Staff Training
The practice is committed to enhanced staff training to produce the highest quality of service within the practice. This means that on certain occasions, the practice may need to close for part of the day for training to take place. We will do our very best to keep patients informed of these occasions and arrangements around them..

For the latest staff news please see the Staff page

Conscious Intravenous Sedation for Treatment
Mr Chamberlain is able to provide this facility for certain anxious patients who may require complex treatment. Sessions are held on Tuesday or Friday afternoons with an additional nurse to attend the patient’s care. Please ask your dentist about this facility.

Tooth Whitening
There have been some amendments to the availability of tooth bleaching. Please ask your dentist as to how we may help patients access this type of treatment

Mouthguards
We can arrange for construction of custom fit sports mouth guards in team or psychedelic colours appropriate for your chosen sport. These can only be provided privately. Please ask your dentist for further details.

Practice Accreditation
In 2006, the practice passed an independent quality assurance and Clinical Governance inspection with flying colours.This demonstrates our commitment to quality care for our patients in the best environment possible.We will be inspected again in a years time and aim to continue developing our standards. For further details please see the Health Services page.