Patient Information Leaflet
We aim to
- Provide patients with a standard of care we would expect to receive ourselves
- Communicate with patients in a friendly, open, courteous and professional manner
- Keep our knowledge and professional skills up to date
- Listen to, and act on patient views and opinions
- Ensure that patients receive full information about our services, their treatment options and associated costs
- Refer patients for further advice where appropriate
- Respect patient confidentiality at all times
- Abide by the most recent standards of cross infection control
- Make our complaints procedure known and available
By doing this we hope to provide the opportunity for patients to fully participate in their oral healthcare in a safe, supportive environment. The patients’ wishes and best interests will always be at the centre of our treatment planning process.
Our Team
Our dentists, nurses and reception staff will always aim to provide a high standard of care and service for our patients. The current members of our dental team are:-
Dr John Vaughan BDS (1997), Principal dentist/responsible person/registered manager – GDC No 73755
Dr Paul Fraser BDS (2003), Associate dentist – GDC No 80764
Dr Elise Parker BDS (2004), Associate dentist – GDC No 83385
Dr William Daniel Rhodri Walters BDS (2015), Associate dentist* –GDC No 258358
Sharon Davies, Administrative Manager & Qualified Dental Nurse* (1997)
Leanne Vaughan, Qualified Dental Nurse (Co-Owner) (2000)
Karen Williams, Qualified Dental Nurse (1998)
Laura Thomas, Qualified Dental Nurse (2016)
Krista Mead, Qualified Dental Nurse (2003)
Sadie Evans, Qualified Dental Nurse* (2015)
Sharon Gorvett, Qualified Dental Nurse (re-reg 2022)
* Welsh language proficient.
All our employees are either qualified dental nurses, or are actively completing their training with a recognised agency. All staff members must complete the GDC Continual Professional Development targets, as well as having periodic appraisals and the formulation of a Personal Development Plan to keep up to date with their educational and development requirements. We regularly hold in-house training (Basic Life Support & Medical Emergencies, Infection Prevention Control, Fire Safety etc) as well as utilising online or face to face training by external agencies for other topics (Radiation safety etc). Team meetings are held on a monthly basis.
Access
We have limited access for disabled patients via a ramp at the rear of the building. Our downstairs surgeries and toilet facilities are wheelchair accessible. Please note most treatment provision will be dependent on the patients’ ability to transfer to the dental chair.
Services
We provide general dental services at our four-surgery practice (examinations, periodontal treatment, fillings, extractions, endodontic treatments, fixed and removable prosthodontics).
Written information on treatments is available on request at reception.
Patients over 18 years of age seeking continuing care are required to join our private monthly Dental Plan, which is administered through DPAS.
Full details of our essentials and inclusive packages are available on request (or on our website) along with a current Private Fee Guide.
Patients under 18 years of age are seen on the NHS. We also provide NHS domiciliary care for patients at our pre-registered nursing / residential homes. As of April 2020, current NHS charges are Band 1 - £14.70, Band 2- £47.00, Band 3- £203 (see http://www.healthcosts.wales.nhs.uk/nhs-dental-charges for further info)
Seeking Patients Views
We invite verbal and written feedback from patients. An online anonymous feedback survey is available the results of which are discussed at monthly practice meetings.
Specialist Services
We can refer you to another dentist/hospital if you require specialist treatment involving long term orthodontics, oral surgery, specialist endodontics etc. which we do not provide.
Making an Appointment
To arrange an appointment please call our reception team on 01792 814734 where our range of services will be fully explained, along with any costs to expect at your first visit.
For Private (non-NHS) patients a deposit is taken before making your first appointment. This will be refunded at the end of your first course of treatment, as long as all your appointments are kept, and are not cancelled at short notice.
You may request to see any of our dentists, but please be aware that due to limitations in patient list sizes we may not always be able to accommodate you with your preferred choice.
Reminders and Recalls
We use NICE guidelines for recall intervals and this will be explained and discussed with you.
It is our policy to send reminders to patients when their recall is due via text message (though it can be arranged via letter on request). This is a courtesy service only and it is the responsibility of the individual to contact the practice if they think they are overdue an examination.
Missed Appointments
We reserve the right to levy a charge (determined by the length of missed appointment) if non-NHS appointments are missed or cancelled with less than 24 Hrs notice.
NHS patients who miss or late cancel appointments may be refused future treatment. (as per our Agreement to NHS appointment Policy M233-APC Apr 22).
Opening Hours
Mon 9.00am-1.00pm, 2.00pm-5.00pm
Tues 9.00am-1.00pm, 2.00pm-5.00pm
Wed 9.00am-1.00pm, 2.00pm-5.00pm
Thurs 9.00am-1.00pm, 2.00pm-5.00pm
Fri 9.00am-1.00pm, 2.00pm-5.00pm
Out of Hours Care
For details of out of hours emergency care please call 01792 814734 or visit our website at www.thevillagedentalpractice.com.
Out of hours NHS services are commissioned by Swansea Bay University Health Board and can be accessed via NHS Direct on 08454647 or online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
You are entitled to:-
- A thorough examination of your mouth, teeth and gums
- A full explanation of your treatment options
- A written treatment plan including costs
- Advice on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy
- Information about this practice and the range of services available
- A care and treatment summary if you transfer to another dentist
- Make a complaint if you are not happy with the care you receive
You are responsible for: -
- Giving at least 24 Hrs notice to cancel an appointment
- Contacting us if you think your examination is overdue
- Following your dentist’s advice on preventing tooth decay and gum disease
- Paying any bills promptly
- Treating staff with courtesy and respect – we employ a zero-tolerance approach to any rude, aggressive or violent behaviour toward any staff member, and will withhold any further treatment with immediate effect.
Your Dental Records / Access to information
Your dental records will remain confidential and secure. These are accessible only to authorised staff members who are bound by strict confidentiality. However, we may from time to time be required to release these to SBUHB or NHS Business Services Authority as part of our on-going clinical review programme. We will try to inform you before releasing your records to any organisations. Our Privacy Notice (M217-T) and Information Publication Scheme (M219) are available on request.
Please make any requests you have regarding your information to the practice manager.
Patient Dignity
To ensure patients dignity is protected, we try to implement our equality and diversity policy by: -
- Attempting to provide patient information in a variety of languages, if required
- Accessing translation services available for patients who need this
- Providing services that are accessible to patients with disabilities
- Ensuring that care of individuals is planned with their specific needs at the centre
- Tackling oral health inequalities through positive promotion and care
- Involving patient groups and individuals in the design of our service
- Responding positively to the diverse needs and experiences of our patients and the community even when those needs are challenging to deal with
- Ensuring that we join up with services involved with the care of patients with particular medical and social care needs.
Complaints & Concerns
If you are not happy about any aspect of the services we provide, we would ask you to bring the issues to the attention of our practice administrative manager who will give you details of our complaint’s procedure.
For private dental treatment you can contact the GDC private dental complaints service within 12 months of the treatment or within 12 months of becoming aware of the issue by calling 020 8253 0800 or visiting www.dentalcomplaints.org.uk.
If you would like support or advice regarding your NHS complaint you can contact Swansea Bay University Health board at
One Talbot Gateway, Baglan Energy Park
Port Talbot, SA12 7BR
01639 683316/683363
Or the Community Health Council by calling 01639 683490. If you are still unhappy about your NHS complaint, you can contact The Ombudsman for Wales by calling 0300 790 0203 or visiting www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk.
You can also contact Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) who is the independent inspectorate and regulator of all healthcare in Wales by calling 0300 062 8163 or via www.hiw.org.uk.
The General Dental Council is responsible for regulating all dental professionals. You can complain using their online form at www.gdc-uk.org contact them on information@gdc-org.uk or by calling 020 7167 6000.
We often seek patients feedback via questionnaires located in the reception area, but also welcome feedback via telephone, email or letter.
The Village Dental Practice is run by J&LVLtd.
J&LVLtd holds a contract for NHS services with SBU Health Board.
The contractor is a dental corporation whose registered office is
Celtic House, Caxton Place, Pentwyn, Cardiff, CF23 8HA
John Vaughan (Director/responsible person/registered manager/provider – 61 New Road, Skewen, SA10 6HA, 01792 814734)
Leanne Vaughan (Secretary).
Further information (including our Statement of Purpose, Dpas, private prices, full complaints procedure and practice policies) can be found on our website at www.thevillagedentalpractice.com.
14/9/23
