| 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.
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.
The New Patient appointment will take a little longer than you might expect.
You will normally be with us for about 40 to 50 minutes, in order to build
an accurate picture of your requirements. We like you to arrive earlier
than your actual examination time 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 spacious Reception Area.
We believe most patients are apprehensive and New Patients are no exception.
Please allow yourself lots of time beforehand and so we can offer you
a coffee or tea maybe, with our compliments, and you can settle, relax
a little, and read a newspaper or magazine. Patients who dash in on the
dot or even later are always more tense and never get the best from any
dental appointment. We are giving you time. Please give us some of yours.
You will gain.
Just occasionally, a first visit for a new patient may have to
be one to relieve discomfort or pain, in which case you will receive guidance
from our Receptionist.
This New Patient appointment is necessary also for Denplan patients who
would like to transfer to us, since we need to know their case just as
fully as anyone else. (The Denplan leaving report form from the previous
dental practice does not convey all the information we need.)
Some patients are attending for just the one visit, and these are for
a second opinion on their particular problem.
The format will be the same as for a First Visit (i.e. New Patient Examination).
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
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.
APPOINTMENTS
On your agreement to proceed with your treatment, we will plan
and arrange suitable appointments. You will return to the Receptionist
for this.
You may want time to think about the proposals. That’s fine. You
can let us know later.
SECOND OPINIONS
It may be that you would like us to provide you with a second
opinion on a situation in your mouth where you have received a treatment
plan from another practice. There is nothing wrong in doing this and 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.
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. |