How we work
Good quality dentistry
We aim to deliver good standard general dentistry in a calm and efficient environment to the best of our ability. New patients will be assigned to one of our three dentists and normally will always see that particular dentist unless they express otherwise or have an emergency and need to be seen quickly. Dentists have emergency slots every day which can be accessed by ringing the practice as near to 9.00am as possible to be seen that day.
We have a small contract with the NHS which we honour but encourage the majority of patients to join one of the levels of Denplan Cover which starts at as little as £7.50 per month and is structured to adapt to your individual needs. Basic plans ensure regular check ups and access to our excellent hygienist and more advanced plans are priced to include all treatment, with laboratory costs paid separately. Denplan does not cover beauty or facial aesthetic treatments which are available privately. There is a worldwide insurance benefit available to access emergency dental treatment wherever you travel or if working or studying away from home.
Alternatively patients can opt to be wholly private - literally pay as you go - though our Denplan patients have a reduction of 20% on the normal private prices.
Environment and our footprint
We use the best possible materials for all our patients and spend time ensuring treatments are delivered effectively and with duration. We have invested in reducing our plastic waste and using instruments capable of being sterilised ensure our impact on the environment is controlled and minimal. Our sterilisation room is fully equipped with extra machines to deal with this and we have succeeded in reducing our disposable waste considerably. We encourage use of ethically sourced bamboo toothbrushes and interdental brushes.Sadly during the Covid Crisis we are having to revert to single use plastic instruments and plastic or disposable PPE to ensure maximum protection and safety for our staff and patients. As with most things it’s a balance and the priority during this crisis has got to be safety .
choices
Our NHS contract is limited and available for children and existing NHS patients . If an NHS patient habitually cancels or does not attend then that place will be offered to someone else. Most of our patients are registered with Denplan or fully private.
We offer all aspects of dentistry , endodontics (root fillings) , implants ( only Dr Alex Flint as he is qualified by the Royal College of Surgeons- both London and Edinburgh ) ,periodontology ( treatment of gum disease), crowns, veneers, oral surgery , tooth whitening , orthodontics including invisaligne- tooth straightening - again Dr Alex Flint ) and facial aesthetics such as botox and fillers.
DATA PROTECTION
Privacy is of course extremely important and all data and information regarding our patients is held securely and privately as is compliant with data protection legislation both in traditional paper records in files and all information on computers
“alone we can do so little. together we can do so much .”
helen keller
Going forward
YEAR by YEAR
We are very much a family. We are part of the community and want you to feel welcome and included. The very best new patient is someone coming as a recommendation from an existing patient. We see families and friends of families. We constantly have internal reappraisal and encourage feedback from patients so that we can listen and act on your suggestions. Continual professional development is essential and important to us and we take staff training seriously. However, we are very often complimented on how friendly and caring our staff, our family, are and this is something perhaps which can’t be taught - we just have amazingly lovely people here.
Coronavirus Update
We are following government directives to safeguard our patients and staff and are constantly updating our approach to this unprecedented situation.
Safety has got to be our priority . We have been here ready to deal with your problems, worries and toothaches throughout the whole time including the initial lockdown . We have heavily invested in the appropriate protection for all our staff and have measures in place to be able to offer treatment and routine inspections under the most stringent hygiene regime. It means that appointments take longer as surgeries and all communal areas especially treatment rooms are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between patients. A new protocol is in place to ensure all patients do not come into contact with each other and consequently will be taken from the entrance door directly to the surgery after having had their temperatures taken and medical history checked. We have ensured all our staff have the appropriate protection and updated ventilation and suction so that all procedures are carried out to the optimum efficiency and safety to ensure your continuing health. Please bear with us during this unprecedented time as we really are constantly updating our methodology as new information becomes available. All our staff are currently waiting to be inoculated as front line health workers. All patients currently registered with Denplan within the Alnwick Dental Practice have the safety and secure knowledge that they would always be able to see one of our own dentists and at our premises. There is tremendous security and peace of mind knowing they would not have to go to a hospital or designated clinic in the case of an emergency. We are aware that this is a very worrying and anxious time so please be comforted that we will see you and we do care.
ALL PATIENTS MUST BE SEEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY EVEN FOR COLLECTING A PRESCRIPTION . ALL THOSE WITH PRE EXISTING HEALTH PROBLEMS PARTICULARLY THOSE AFFECTING IMMUNITY, HEART AND CHEST MUST INFORM US BY TELEPHONE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO COME AND CAN BE ADVISED ACCORDINGLY. THERE WILL BE REGULAR UPDATED INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE TELEPHONE AND ALSO BY NOTICE PINNED UP ON THE DOOR SHOULD GUIDELINES CHANGE. THE INFORMATION WE HAVE IS CHANGING DAILY SO PLEASE UNDERSTAND WE ARE DOING OUR VERY BEST TO KEEP YOU SAFE.