Violence and Aggression

For many years we have been fully committed to providing patients with the highest level of NHS patient care and it continues to be a pleasure to treat all of our patients.

Over the last few months, we have become increasingly busy, and it has become apparent that we now need to make some changes to the way we practise, given the demands on our time. Our main priority is to continuously strive to improve the dental care we can offer to our patients. We want to be able to spend more time with you and offer you a wider choice of treatments in a more relaxed environment, and also reduce the appointment waiting times.

We have seen major changes in dentistry and the wider world in recent years. Real terms funding cuts plus recruitment and retention challenges have put a strain on us providing routine NHS care for patients. All of this has led us to reflect on what we can offer as a dental practice and how we can make best use of the resources we have available.

For more information on NHS dentistry, including funding and charges please click here.

The quality of care we offer our patients is of utmost importance to us, so we have been working hard behind the scenes making important decisions and changes in the strive to improve.

What is changing?

Therefore, after much deliberation, as of 1st October 2023, we will only be seeing patients on an independent basis. In order to assist with this change, we would like to introduce our membership package for the practice.

As a parent/guardian registered on one of our dental membership plans, we will continue to see your children up to the age of 5 years old free of charge for their routine dental health examinations.

Our patient membership plan helps you keep your teeth and gums healthy by allowing you to budget monthly for your dental care so that you can attend on a basis that’s right for you. Through regular examinations and hygiene appointments we can spot issues early, potentially saving you from more invasive treatment in the future, and it is cheaper than paying as you go. Full details of our membership plans and your options are available here.

Pay-as-you-go.

For those of you who do not wish to join the plan, we will still be able to offer you a full range of treatments on a private pay-as-you go basis, however please note, you will not benefit from the discounts off treatments or other member benefits.

If you want to stay with us on this basis, please speak to a member of our team to reserve your place on our lists, and book or confirm your next appointment if you do not have one already.

What happens next?

If you have an NHS appointment booked with Newquay Dental Centre prior to 1st October 2023, please attend this as normal. We will be seeing you for this and any subsequent treatment you may require under the current NHS arrangements. At this appointment we will be able to discuss what we feel would be the best option for you to maintain your dental health, then you will need to decide if you want to continue with us as your dentist on an independent basis or should you wish to access another NHS dental practice, you can visit the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk to find a local dental practice that is currently accepting patients or telephone the NHS Waiting list on 0333 006 3300.

If you need help, please just ask! If you require any more information about becoming a member of our scheme, any of the changes outlined in this letter or would like to discuss the options available to you before your next appointment, our reception team will be more than happy to discuss this with you in person, or by phone on 01637 879207.

Finally, we would like to let all our patients know that we have thoroughly enjoyed looking after you and those of you that cannot remain with us, for whatever reason, will be sadly missed.

Kindest regards,

Stuart Williams & Maria Gonzalo