HOWARD SHRIMPTON
DENTAL PRACTICE
New Patients

Your First Visit

Your first visit to this Wiltshire dental practice is normally to meet and allow us to discuss your particular mouth status and needs, without any treatment being provided at this stage.

If you have yet to decide whether to consult us, you may wish to send us an enquiry now by using the online email enquiry form. We will either reply online or contact you by phone or mail. However, if you need a rapid answer, we recommend that you telephone.

When you telephone us or call in to enquire about joining our practice, our receptionist will try to answer queries you may have. Should you decide that you would like to arrange a New Patient Appointment, the receptionist will take some details from you, and you will receive a New Patient Pack. In the Pack are simple questionnaires for you to complete and return to us well before your appointment, and your input on these will not only provide us with essential information to aid our assessment of your case, but it will also make your first appointment much more efficient and allow us more clinical time with you. You will be asked for a deposit payment on booking, and you pay the balance on arrival on the day.

 

Appointments

As a New Patient, your first visit with us will take a little longer than you might expect. Expect to be with us for about 40 to 50 minutes overall.

We like you to arrive earlier than your actual appointment time with Howard Shrimpton, so that you can easily complete any formalities or forms that may need attention and pay the balance of your fee. Our Receptionist will invite you to make yourself comfortable in our comfortable Reception Area.

We know most patients are apprehensive and New Patients are no exception. Please allow yourself adequate time before your appointment so that you can relax over complimentary tea or coffee, and read the newspaper or a magazine.


Face 2 Face Consultation

Later, you will be shown to the Surgery for a discussion with Howard Shrimpton. It is a spacious room and you will sit in a comfortable seat well away from the clinical area. He wants to hear about any past problems, fears or anxieties, about what you think you would like to achieve be it simple or complex. Please do not prejudge what you think can or can’t be done. Just say what you feel.


Afterwards he will carefully and gently examine your mouth area, your teeth being only a part of this examination. Any relevant photographs and X-rays taken are included in the initial Fee.

The findings of the Examination will be discussed with you, as will any treatment options, back in the discussion area. This will allow you to be more at ease away from the dental chair and we want you to feel free to question and discuss.

Treatment Plan and Choice

TREATMENT PLAN

A written plan of estimated treatment costs will be provided. You will sign this document, not as a pledge to proceed with treatment but as an acceptance that you understand the costs and terms of proceeding. You will be given a copy.

If subsequently you decide to proceed then that document is our basis of business and treatment at our Devizes dental practice.

CHOICE

In recommending treatment, sometimes there are several choices for us. First options are those that we would personally have for ourselves, our families, our friends. Other options may be offered to you as well. These may not be our prime choices, but they could be what appeal to you personally. Financial considerations or simplicity of approach may sway your decision. You are put under no obligation to accept any options offered.

Second Opinions

Rather than wanting to have a New Patient examination, it may be that you would like us to provide you with a second opinion on a situation in your mouth where you have already received a treatment plan from another practice.

This is an accepted action to take where there is doubt. We are happy to provide our opinion. Any information is naturally treated in confidence and you need not even tell us who gave you the first opinion if you do not wish to.

We are comfortable with you seeking a second opinion on our recommendations, should you feel it prudent.

Referrals

Following discussion with you, it may be that an aspect of your proposed treatment or even the whole treatment is best carried out by referral to a trusted colleague. In such cases, it may not be possible at the time to give you more than an outline of what that colleague can or will do apart from being asked by us to look at your problem.

Referrals to Hospitals may be under NHS cover or Privately. Referrals to other practices are Private. Orthodontic referrals for under 18s are usually NHS.

We will refer in writing, when necessary sending your photographs/X-rays.

Normally you will be contacted directly. NHS referrals may take longer and will be written. Private referral replies to you are usually by telephone and reasonably quick.

64 New Park Street
Devizes, Wiltshire
SN10 1DP map