You may not have been expecting to have a telephone consultation with your dentist. A year ago, we wouldn’t have dreamed this would be how we’re ‘seeing’ our patients. But telephone consultations are an essential part of how we’re managing to help you to maintain your oral health, while at the same time protecting you and the team from coronavirus.
Why do I need a telephone consultation?
NHS guidelines now state that all patients need to have a telephone consultation initially. The dentist will then assess if the patient needs a face-to-face appointment. If necessary, then the dentist will book an appropriate time.
How much do I pay for a telephone consultation?
There is no charge for a telephone consultation.
However, because the phone appointment is scheduled into the dentist’s diary we ask you to be sure to attend the telephone consultation.
What sort of questions will I be asked?
The dentist will ask if you have any general concerns and will discuss your oral health with you. Please be ready to explain any feelings of discomfort you may be experiencing, such as a dull ache, a wobbly tooth or a denture that rubs. You may also need to answer questions related to any medication you take.
Does my child need a telephone consultation?
Yes, we’re holding telephone consultations with children too. An adult should also be present, as they would be at a face-to-face consultation.
What happens if I miss my telephone consultation?
If this is missed a new consultation will need to be arranged. We do ask that the patient treats the telephone call like an appointment as this time is taken out of the dentist’s day. If you miss your appointment, it could affect your registration with the practice.
If you need to cancel, please do so at least 24 hours before hand. We can be understanding only if there’s a verifiable emergency, but otherwise it will count as a missed appointment.
Please note that because we have a centralised phone system, our calls will either come up as ‘no caller ID’ or as a Winchester phone number.
What do I do with the Medical History form?
In an email confirming the date and time of your telephone consultation, patients are sent a link to fill in a Medical History form. This form must be returned within 36 hours of the appointment. If the form is not returned within that time, the call cannot go ahead.
Whether it’s a face-to-face consultation or a telephone consultation, a current medical history form is essential for the dentist to make considered decisions.
Contacting the practice
If you need to get in touch with your SpaDental practice, please be patient. Our phone lines are usually quite busy, so getting in touch by email is often more reliable. Alternatively, use the contact page on our website.