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 2009 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 2009

MALPAS HOUSE DENTAL CARE PLANS

The new dental plan scheme has taken off very well indeed and patients have been expressing their satisfaction with the change over and new service we offer.

We are still accepting patients into the new scheme particularly where patients may have taken some time to consider their preferred plan option or have required an oral health assessment from the dentist before joining a plan.

The dentists will assess their patients and any previous records and will advise an ideal level of scheme membership accordingly.

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.

NHS SERVICE

We have negotiated 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.

Practice Quality Assurance Inspection
The practice has recently undergone an independent inspection to ensure we satisfy the NHS requirements for provision of services. We are delighted that our report confirms that the practice standards “well exceed the requirements for appropriate provision of dental care.” This is due to the combined hard work and commitment of our care team.

Emergency Equipment
The practice now has an AED defibrillator and staff have received special training regarding its use.

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.

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.

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.

Building Development
We anticipate commencement of modifications to the rear of the building to accommodate a ground floor disabled access toilet during September; together with conversion of the upstairs toilets to form an upgraded sterilisation and decontamination room—ahead of Government specification to come into force during 2010. We apologise for any short term disruption which may occur.

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 events 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 you 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.

If you wish to e-mail the practice, please contact us on

topteeth@freeuk.com

or click here