We are here to help and will take the time to talk through all your queries, whether you are thinking of joining our practice, are concerned about a change in your dental health, or are considering a large treatment plan (and everything else in between).
We have included below some of the questions we are often asked, but do get in touch if you can't spot the answer you are looking for here.
Call 01428 723179 or email smile@oaklodgedental.co.uk
Yes, we reopened on 8 June in line with the change in government guidelines and have been prioritising those patients in pain or with an emergency.
From 6 July, we will be providing routine dentistry. For full details of our current treatment availability and new patient journey, please click here.
We are now open throughout the week, as well as providing appointments on Saturdays between 8am - 2pm.
Monday: 8.30am - 5.15pm
Tuesday: 8.30am - 5.15pm
Wednesday: 8.30am - 5.00pm
Thursday: 8.30am - 5.15pm
Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm
Saturday: 8.30am - 2.00pm
The best way to organise your appointments is to call our reception team on 01428 723179. Speaking to you over the phone, we can get a better understanding of your needs and help you find alternative appointments with ease (handy at busy times, as our empty appointments get booked fast!)
You may also book appointments here online via the Contact Us page, or send us an email to correspond with us about your appointments.
Choosing a dentist who “clicks” with you and your family is important. During your first visit, you should be able to determine whether the dentist is right for you by considering the following:
Is the booked appointment at a convenient time for you?
Is the practice easy for you to get to?
Does the practice appear to be clean, safe and orderly?
Was your medical and dental history recorded when you first visited the practice?
Does the dentist explain techniques for good oral health or help you reach an understanding of how to improve your oral health?
Is information about cost presented to you before treatment is scheduled?
Is the dentist polite, understanding and explains themselves clearly, do I trust their judgement?
If you have any concerns about the dentist you are seeing, you are always entitled to look for a second opinion elsewhere or to raise the issue with them or the practice you are attending.
Our dentists work hard to ensure all of their patients feel comfortable, informed, empowered and in control of their dental needs at all times.
It is vital that we know what medication you are currently taking, so that we can be sure that any medicines we prescribe or local anaesthetic we may use will not interfere with your current medication.
Certain side-effects for various medications may also explain anything unusual in your mouth, such as a dry mouth.
This is why we ask new patients to complete our Patient Medical History, and we ask all patients to keep us informed of any changes in their general health, medical conditions and medication.
The short answer here is no. Our dentists will never insist that you undergo any treatment or procedures that you are not comfortable with.
However, dental x-rays have a very minimal dose of radiation. This may surprise you but each year our exposure to background radiation is equivalent to 1200 dental X-rays. Also, interestingly:
A flight from Manchester to Paris is equivalent to 1 dental X-ray worth of radiation. While a Flight from Manchester to Spain, is about 3 X-ray’s worth of radiation. And did you know that if you eat 5 Brazil nuts it is the same as having 1 dental X-ray?
Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when the dentist examines the mouth. An x-ray may reveal:
Small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings)
Infections in the bone
Periodontal (gum) disease
Abscesses or cysts
Developmental abnormalities
Some types of tumors
Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and often unnecessary discomfort. X-rays can detect damage to oral structures not visible during a regular exam. If you have a hidden tumor, X-rays may even help save your life. Your dentist will evaluate your need for X-rays based on the conditions present in development.
There are many benefits to having X-rays taken and as always, any additional questions or concerns can be discussed with your dentist during your appointment.
Yes, you are in the driving seat! You can just tell us, or raise your hand if you feel you need a break during treatment. You will then be given as long as you need to feel comfortable with proceeding.
Your dentist and hygienist will work closely with you to help you establish and maintain a thorough oral health programme. With regular visits to the dentist and hygienist, and with good diet and oral hygiene at home, you will have a brighter, healthier smile.
Our advice is always to make it fun for children and lead by example.
There are a number of tricks and tips our dentists or hygienists can give you to help encourage your kids to looks after their oral health, along with recommended apps, or amazing new gadgets such as children's electric toothbrushes.
But generally, we advise a fun and enthusiastic approach to looking after yours and your family's teeth and to try to make teeth-brushing time a fun and interactive one.
It is important to tell us if you are nervous about your visit to us, that way we can do all we can to help you relax.
Having dealt with nervous patients for years, our team have picked up a few handy tips for helping you to feel less anxious at your appointment:
Most people don't change their toothbrush nearly as often as they should!
Toothbrushes should always be changed at least at the first signs of fraying. Old, frayed bristles are ineffective and can harbour bacteria. Most dentists recommend that you change your toothbrush every 2-3 months. Children may need a new toothbrush more often, as they tend to get frayed more quickly.
Tooth whitening is an effective way of lightening the colour of your teeth, without damaging the teeth in any way.
At Oak Lodge, we offer home whitening. You can then choose when and how regularly you would like to whiten your teeth. We find you get can results from the first application and you can then top up at your convenience.
Comments, compliments or complaints are always welcome at Oak Lodge Dental Practice. We take any complaints very seriously and try to ensure that all patients are pleased with their experience of our service. If a patient complains, they are dealt with courteously and promptly so that the matter is resolved as soon as possible.
Our aim is to react to complaints in the way in which we would want our complaint about a service to be handled. We learn from every mistake that we make and respond to patients' concerns in a caring and sensitive way.
Our Practice Manager, Christine Bolton is responsible for dealing with any complaint about the service we provide.
We will always treat your complaints with equal gravitas, whether you call us, speak to us in person, or feel more comfortable addressing your complaint by email or letter. Below is an outline of how we will respond and resolve a complaint received at the practice:
If for any reason you are not satisfied with the result of our procedure then a complaint may be made to: The General Dental Council, 37 Walpole Street, London, W1M 8DQ
We are also always happy to receive any suggestions you may have to improve the service we provide. Your comments and feedback (good or bad) allow us the opportunity to further improve our service.
Alternatively, if you would like to sign up to our mailing list, have a question, or would like to send us a message - please email us at smile@oaklodgedental.co.uk
Need to book an appointment? Speak to a member of our reception team on 01428 723179 to arrange your appointment today, or email us at smile@oaklodgedental.co.uk.