This website contains information about the services we provide, how to make an appointment and who to contact for further information and assistance.
You can use the menu to find the information you need, or scroll.
Our practice is fully DDA compliant, providing complete access for disabled patients.
For appointments call:
01684 567 111
Opening times
Monday to Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
COVID UPDATE
An update on NHS dental services at our practice
As you will know, the Prime Minister has confirmed that public restrictions have been
significantly eased on 19th July.
Under the Government’s guidance “Health and care settings will continue to maintain
appropriate infection prevention and control processes as necessary and this will be
continually reviewed. Guidance will be updated based on the latest clinical evidence this summer.
You can find this online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-
response-summer-2021-roadmap/covid-19-response-summer-2021#contents
In line with the Government’s guidance, England’s Chief Dental Officer Sara Hurley has
informed us that the infection prevention control measures in dentistry should continue to be followed until further notice. These are important measures from Public Health England aimed at limiting the spread of the virus in dental settings. We’re also continuing to follow NHS dentistry’s standard operating procedure which helps us make this guidance work.
This means three things for patients:
1. If you need to come into the surgery for an appointment, please remember that social distancing remains in place in the dental practice and to wear a face covering upon entering the building.
2. We will continue to have restrictions on leaving time between patients to ventilate
rooms if we perform an aerosol generating procedure. An aerosol generating 2
procedure (AGP) is a medical procedure that can result in the release of airborne
particles (aerosols) from the respiratory tract when treating someone who is
suspected or known to be suffering from an infectious agent transmitted wholly or
partly by the airborne or droplet route. In dentistry, for example, this means the use of
something like a high speed drill. This impacts how many patients we can fit into a
working day.
3. We are also following the Chief Dental Officer’s advice that we should prioritise
patients for treatment based on urgency and priority groups, such as those more at
risk of dental disease or children.
Similar public health measures are still in place for hospitals and GP practices, too.
Every dental practice is working extremely hard to provide care to our patients within the restrictions and guidance to ensure it’s safe to visit the dentist.
We hope that this helps clarify why these measures are in place for every NHS dental
practice.
Please do give us a call if you think you need to see us, we’re open for patients.
Best wishes,
Dr T Mirza
Before attending the practice please make sure you have read the following information:
BEFORE APPOINTMENT
- You will be sent an email or text reminder with a link to a patient portal ( which allows access to essential paperwork). In order to access this link , you must use a security code which will be text to you first. Please complete all paperwork for your dental visit via this system. If you have problems accessing the portal then please contact the practice receptionist.
- Please brush your teeth and use the bathroom at home before attending the practice as our bathroom facilities are currently not in use due to Covid 19 regulations.
WHEN ATTENDING APPOINTMENT
- Please only bring necessary belongings with you. If you bring any belongings they will need to be left in a box in reception as you will be unable to take these into the dental surgery.
- Attend alone where possible, with the exception of children under 16 years and patients in need of a carer to attend .
- Please wait in your car until 5 minutes before the appointment, then stand at the waiting sign outside the practice. If you are walking, please wait outside the practice adhering to social distancing ( 2 metres away from the front door) until you are greeted by a member of staff.
- When asked to wait outside for your appointment, please wait where indicated on the signs on the pavement.
- Please ensure you wear a face covering to your appointment.
- A member of staff will greet you and check your details to confirm identity, you will then be asked some screening questions to check for symptoms of coronavirus. If you have any symptoms of coronavirus we will be unable to see you for an appointment and will need to rebook for a later date as per government self isolation guidance. Please remember , even if you have had a Covid vaccination you will still be asked these questions.
- If it is safe for you to attend your appointment after these checks we will then ask that you enter the building into the reception area.
- You will then be asked to use hand sanitiser. If you have a hand bag or belongings you will be asked to leave them in a box in the reception before going into the surgery.
- Any paperwork/ payments we require you to complete will be carried out before your appointment. This is likely to be digital paperwork/ contactless payments for dental treatment . You may have already completed the majority of digital paperwork via the patient portal which will have been sent via text or email link a few days before your appointment. If you do not have an email address or mobile telephone number, we will ask you to complete paperwork at the practice when you attend ( if patient is unsure how to complete, staff members can help with this. )
- We will then take you into the dental surgery where you will be greeted by the dentist and nurse, they will be wearing enhanced PPE and therefore will look different, do not be alarmed as we are taking every precaution within the practice for you to have a safe experience.
- Once your dental appointment is complete we will escort you to reception where we will ask you to use the hand sanitiser again. Any additional paperwork/appointment bookings will then be completed.
Services available
We have agreed with NHS England to provide NHS services for all patients.
NHS dental treatment includes all treatment necessary to secure and maintain your oral health.
We also provide a full range of private treatment options for patients who choose to have treatment that is not available on the NHS. Please ask for details.
We can also refer you to another dentist if you require specialist treatment involving sedation or orthodontics.
The poster in our waiting room has information about the cost of NHS treatment. Your dentist will advise you of the cost of your private treatment.
Appointments
Making Appointments
If you ask us for an appointment, we will try to offer you one as soon as possible at a convenient time. You can make an appointment by phoning 01684 567 111.
Currently our online booking system is unavailable, please the phone practice to make an appointment.
You can choose which dentist you would like to see at the practice, including your regular dentist, but please note this will depend on the appointments available.
Reminders and recalls
At the end of your course of treatment, your dentist will discuss when you will need to see a dentist again. NHS dentists now follow guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). This means you will attend as often as is needed to keep you teeth and gums healthy and may no longer need a check up every six months.
We do provide a reminder service whereby we send a reminder letter in the post or contact you by SMS text or email when your check up is due.
Cancellations
If you are unable to keep your appointment please let us know as soon as possible so that we can give the appointment to someone else. Missed appointments waste NHS time, and as per our Failed To Attend Policy, if you miss more than three appointments and give less than 24 hours notice, we may not be able to complete your treatment or offer you NHS care in the future.
Urgent treatment & out of hours care
Urgent treatment means treatment that the dentist considers necessary to relieve severe pain or prevent your oral condition deteriorating before you can make a normal appointment.
If you need urgent treatment outside of the practice opening hours you can contact NHS 111. The out of hours service they provide is available Monday to Thursday, 6pm t0 8am, from 6pm on Friday to 8am on Monday; and all bank holidays until 8am the next working day.
We also offer a number of appointments during practice opening hours for patients who need urgent treatment. If you think you need urgent treatment you can contact us on 01684 567 111 during our opening hours.
Useful Information
Your Rights and Responsibilities
You are entitled to:
- A thorough examination of your mouth, teeth and gums.
- A full explanation of your treatment options.
- A written treatment plan (including costs).
- Information about the NHS charges are displayed in the waiting room.
- Advice on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Information about this practice and services available.
- A care and treatment summary if you decide to transfer to another dentist.
- Make a complaint if you are not happy with your treatment and care.
NHS Dental Charges
Emergency dental treatment – £23.80 This covers emergency care in a primary care NHS dental practice such as pain relief or a temporary filling.
Band 1 course of treatment – £23.80 This covers an examination, diagnosis (including X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if clinically needed, and preventative care such as the application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant if appropriate.
Band 2 course of treatment – £65.20 This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or removal of teeth but not more complex items covered by Band 3.
Band 3 course of treatment – £282.80 This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures, bridges and other laboratory work.
You are responsible for:
- Giving at least 24 hours notice if you have to cancel or change an appointment. We will not charge you for missed appointments – but if you miss more than three appointments we may no longer be able to offer you treatment.
- Following your dentists advice to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
- Paying your bill promptly.
- Bringing proof of entitlement when claiming help with the cost of NHS treatment. If no proof is shown eligibility will be checked.
- Treating our staff with courtesy and respect**
Your Dental Records
Your dental records will remain confidential and secure. However from time to time we may need to release these to NHS England or the NHS Business Services Authority as part as our ongoing clinical review process. We will try to contact you before releasing your dental records to another organisation.
If you would like to comment about any aspect of our service, please contact Dr T Mirza, Principal Dentist. If you are not happy with the response you receive from us you are entitled to raise this verbally or in writing with your Primary Care Trust. You can get support with making a complaint from:
NHS Dental Services the complaints manager or Patient Liaison Service (PALS) at NHS England, your local Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS), Citizens Advice or visit www.dh.gov.uk
The Dental Team
At Malvern Spring Dental Practice our dentists, dental nurses and reception staff always aim to provide a high standard of care and service for patients.
The members of our dental team are:
Dr T Mirza
BChD Principal Dentist, GDC 71997
Dr A Rahman
BDS DPHD MDSc MFDS RCSEd Dentist, GDC 84441
T Bashir
Practice Manager, GDC 261358
Nicola Gilbert
Receptionist
Joanna Pawlus
Dental Nurse, GDC 269738
Zoe Shaw
Dental Nurse, GDC 285694
Charlotte Taylor
Apprentice Dental Nurse
Samantha Sinnathamby
Apprentice Dental Nurse
Rebecca King
Apprentice Dental Nurse
Useful contacts
Should you have a dental emergency outside of the practice opening hours, please call NHS 111 who will be able to assist you, or alternatively go to www.nhs.co.uk.
The local NHS England Commissioning Team are responsible for commissioning dental services in this area, their address is: NHS England, Wildwood, Wildwood Drive, Worcester, WR5 2LG.
