We understand that some patients can delay seeking the dental treatment they need or wish from fear of knowing what they might expect at their visits. We want you to trust us to look after you and give you an understanding of what your might experience.

• All prospective patients are welcome to arrange a free introductory appointment with us, so they can visit the practice, meet some of the staff and discuss their requirements, possibly also seeing photographs about patients having a similar treatment so they can judge the standard of our results.

• Before your first visit we would send you our Welcome Pack, which gives information about the practice and any treatments you may have mentioned during your contact telephone call.
• The pack also contains a Medical History Form so we can provide the most appropriate treatment for you and a Questionnaire asking for feedback about your dental and facial concerns. So you do not feel rushed you are invited to complete this at home before your visit.
• On your arrival our receptionist will welcome you and show you where to hang your coat and the location of the toilet so you can feel comfortable. Toothbrushes and lip gels are available for your use.
• She will provide your choice of a drink of tea, coffee, chocolate, cappuccino or cool water whilst she ensures all your paper-work is completed.
• Newspapers, magazines, the TV and books about the practice staff, the treatments we have given and testimonials from our patients are all available for you to peruse.
• Our dental nurse will meet you in the reception area. She will become your patient’s champion and if you have any queries,worries or concerns please feel free to discuss them with her at any stage of your treatment.
• After taking your photograph for the computer she will then escort you to to the Consultation Room and introduce you to Dr Coates.
• Please feel free to discuss with Pam all of your concerns about your mouth, previous treatment, and your requirements. She will want to know if you have any deadlines e.g. a forthcoming wedding, or if certain times of the day are better for you, if you have had difficulties with dental treatment in the past, and any special requirements. The more information you give us the better we are able to help you achieve a successful result.
• If appropriate she will then ask her nurse to escort you to our designated X-ray room to have a scan X-ray taken of your mouth, which will give her an overview of the health of your bone and any underlying problems with your teeth. The nurse will also give you a tour of the practice so you feel more orientated at your next visit.
• You will then be escorted to Pam’s surgery where she initially takes photographs of your face and smile, to help with future treatment planning.
• Once you have our dark glasses Pam will then rest you back in our comfortable dental chair to provide a thorough examination.
• Her examination will check the health of your jaw joints, neck glands, and a check for any signs of mouth cancer around your lips, cheeks, palate and tongue.
• She will then check the health of your gums, looking for signs of gum disease which could result in loss of teeth.
• Finally she will chart the teeth that you have and their condition. She may use our DIAGNOdent laser to identify areas of early decay. She may also take further X-rays if she needs more clarification about a problem.
• The examination is carried out slowly, giving you plenty of time to relax. There should not be a stage that is uncomfortable for you.
• If necessary, when you are sitting up again, Pam may then take impressions of your teeth, using a jelly-type material for which you have a choice of six different flavours.
• At the end of this appointment Pam will use the scan X –Ray to give you an overview about the health of your gums and teeth and what appointment she would recommend for you next.
• If your gums are showing any signs of inflammation or disease she will recommend an Hygiene Initial Assessment appointment with our Dental Hygienist, Louise. She will outline the treatment you would expect at that visit and the costs of that appointment.
• If she needs to wait for X-rays to be developed, or study models to be made, or if she needs to think about your treatment options, then she will invite you to attend for a 30 minute Treatment Planning Review Appoinment, for which there is no additional charge.
• The nurse will then escort you to the Consultation Room and check that you have been comfortable with your examination and if you have any questions about the treatment recommended.
• She will then escort you to our receptionist to make your next visit and give you a written estimate of the fees for the recommended treatment.
• We offer appointments from 9.00 am until 6.00 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, until 7 pm on Thursdays and on Friday mornings. In addition we have one Saturday per month, so hopefully we can arrange a visit to fit around your work and family commitments.

• There are often multiple treatment options to solving a problem and Pam will use this appointment, which usually takes place in our consultation room, to discuss all your options and what each will involve in terms of appointments and costs, to find the one that best suits you. She will also give you the option of having sedation for any of the treatment visits that you may be worried about. You are invited to be accompanied by a family member or colleague if you wish.
• Once a treatment plan has been decided with you, Pam will then provide a written estimate of the costs and appointments involved.
• Our receptionist will then spend time with you in private to discuss your financial options, which include a 5% reduction for a prepayment in full, spreading the costs each appointment or interest-free and interest-bearing options.
• You will not be pressured into rushing into treatment as we want you to feel comfortable and to undertake it at the best time for you.
• We are happy for treatment to be carried out in stages over as long a period of time as necessary. For example before cosmetic treatment we would concentrate of ensuring your gum health is achieved and maintained.

Any dental treatment is likely to fail if the foundations of the mouth, the gums and underlying bone, are not healthy.

• At her first visit our Hygienist will undertake a thorough review of the health of your gums to identify any problem areas.
• She will find out any problems you may have experienced with previous dental hygienist visits.
• She will take photographs and measurements and determine what is your normal home care routine.
• She will then explain her findings using diagrams where appropriate and the implications of neglecting to treat the disease.
• She will recommend the appropriate home care aids and show you how to use them properly.
• If appropriate she will commence treatment to remove some or all of the debris around your teeth.
• She will discuss with you what future visits would be required. These may be to treat disease, to monitor progress, or for routine maintenance.
• She will discuss with you if you would require local anaesthetic for treatment, or even sedation if necessary.
• She will provide a written quotation for any treatment visits.
• At any time you are welcome to ask questions or her or her nurse.
• Long term you would probably have regular visits at either three or six monthly visits to maintain gum health. Many patients choose to join our Waterside Dental Care Plan to cover the costs of these regular visits.

• Care is taken that any treatment visits are comfortable.
• Patients have the option of watching a DVD during the treatment, we have a wide selection available, or you could bring your own.