Coming to the end of the year is often a time for reflection. As mentioned in our previous newsletter, many things have changed since Covid and it has given us time to realise what is important to each one of us individually, as well as for us as a business. Therefore, we are in a process of reducing our NHS contract.
Dr Armando Mendes and Dr Marlise de Vos are seeing mainly private patients, Dr Chris Pepper, who has settled in well with the Gables, and Dr Linda Valatka continue to see both their NHS and private patients. Dr Fiona Blake will be joining us in January and will be seeing some of our existing NHS patients and new private patients. Dr Ryan Beedour is working with us for the year in his foundation post, seeing NHS and private patients.
We do get very busy at the Practice with 6 surgeries running. The car park is limited and will be on a first come first serve basis. Please allow enough time for parking to get to your appointments on time. There is on street parking near to the practice if the car park is full.
Our hygienists, Dayna Knott (also known as Badcock), Nina Stanford and Sophie Awbery-Maskell are doing excellent work, maintaining our patients’ oral health. These treatments are only available privately. Soon we will be adding Guided Biofilm Therapy to their services which is a gentle yet effective, high pressure airflow treatment that targets plaque build-up (also called biofilm). This is particularly excellent for patients with dental implants.
Review of prices February 2023
Since 2020 we have managed to keep our private fees the same, however, with current inflation and ongoing price increases from our dental suppliers, we have no choice but to increase our private costs. We will be increasing our fee per item services prices by 10-15% from February 2023. The Dental plans (dental health checks and hygienists costs) will increase from April, there is no need for plan patients to take action at this time.
Given the unique landscape of 2020-2022, we just want to take a few moments to explain how we approach the subject of price reviews.
In considering adjustments to prices, we have considered the following factors:
1. Increases in our external costs – such as laboratory fees, material costs and, especially this year, the overall increase in energy costs.
2. Increases in our internal costs – such as wages, professional service, insurances and all other day to day running expenses of a business.
3. Regular but small adjustments are better in the long run than significant increases with large gaps between them- it is easier for our patients to plan their own finances if we do that.
At all times, our over-riding objective is to continue to deliver excellent customer service experience and clinical care to the best of our ability and in a safe environment for all.
Despite all these changes, we endeavour to continue to provide a high standard of service and we appreciate all our patients understanding. Please do keep us up to date with e-mail addresses, or phone numbers in order to receive all your reminders. Also, it is important to comply to GDPR which means only patients agreed to receive our e-mails will receive our Newsletter updates, so please let other friends know.
Finally, we wish you all a wonderful festive Season.
