Policies & Procedures

 

  • Payments

    Payments are due as treatment(s) progress at each appointment. Patients will be asked to keep up to date with payments as treatment(s) progress and that all payments are made by completion of treatment. Any additional treatment found to be required must be paid for as this treatment is carried out. We accept cash, cheque and credit card payments.

    Emergency Appointments

    We try to see all emergencies within 24 hours and calls before 10:00am we try to offer same day appointment. We have a contact on our answer machine providing weekend cover for our registered patients. Please call as early as possible so that we may accommodate you.

    Deposits

    Deposits may be requested for larger/more complex treatment plans or for appointments that are longer than our routine dental appointments.

    Cancellation Notice 24hrs

    Cancellation notice is required for routine dental appointments to avoid a cancellation charge. This allows the appointment to be offered to others. Appointments longer than our routine appointments will require 48hrs notice. In the event of late cancellations, we will try to rebook the clinical time and avoid the need to make these charges. However, late cancellation will be charged at £1 per minute for the length of appointment missed.

    Failing to Attend

    Failing to attend an appointment with no notice will result in a charged of £1 per minute for the length of appointment missed.

    Administration Fee

    An administration fee of up to £20 is payable if a patient brings any forms or documents to be completed by staff. This includes Insurance claims etc.

    *We do not sign Passports

  • The All dental professionals are regulated by the GDC and Ballyholme Dental Practice and its’ staff adhere to the rules governing the profession:-

    www.gdc-uk.org

    Northern Ireland dental practices are also regulated and inspected by RQIA (The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority):-

    www.rqia.org.uk

    The registered provider for this service is:-

    Tessa Hughes BDS

    Ballyholme Dental Practice

    22a Groomsport Road

    Bangor BT20 5LN.

  • If you are unhappy with any part of your experience please let us know, in person or by email.

    The Arrangements for Dealing with Complaints.

    Ballyholme Dental Practice operates a complaints procedure which is compliant with the HSC complaints procedure and also compliant with The Independent Healthcare Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005.

     

    Patients are asked that in the event any concern or complaint to speak or write to

    Alison Steenwyk |Practice Manager, or Tessa Hughes | Practice Owner.

     

    A copy of the complaints process is held in the waiting room.

    We will acknowledge complaints within three working days and will aim to have fully investigated the complaint within twenty working days of the date when the matter was raised.

    If the complainant is still dissatisfied with the outcome from the complaint and its resolution they can contact the following bodies to progress the complaint if they so wish.

     

    NHS complaints are referred to:  

    • Strategic Planning and Performance Group, Department of Health, 12-22 Linen Hall Street, Belfast,  BT2 8BS, Email: SPPGcommunications@hscni.net
    •  Dental Complaints Service, 37 Wimpole Street, London, W19 8DQ 
    T: 020 8253 0800, W: www.dcs.gdc-uk.org , E: info@dentalcomplaints.org.uk 
    • RQIA The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, First Floor James House, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, Belfast, BT7 2JA, Tel: 028 9051 7500 Fax: 028 9051 7501  e:info@rqia.org.uk  www.rqia.org.uk
    • Patient Client Counsel, 5th Floor, 14-16 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BA, Tel: 0800 917 0222, Email: info@pcc-ni.net

    Private patient complaints are referred to:
    • Dental Complaints Service, 37 Wimpole Street, London, W19 8DQ 
    T: 020 8253 0800, W: www.dcs.gdc-uk.org , E: info@dentalcomplaints.org.uk 
    • Northern Ireland Ombudsman, Progressive House, 33 Wellington Pl, Belfast BT1 6HN,  0800 343424 or www.ni-ombudsman.org.uk for complaints about NHS treatment
    • RQIA The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, First Floor James House, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, Belfast, BT7 2JA, Tel: 028 9051 7500 Fax: 028 9051 7501  e:info@rqia.org.uk  www.rqia.org.uk
    • Patient Client Counsel, 5th Floor, 14-16 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BA, Tel: 0800 917 0222, Email: info@pcc-ni.net
    Northern Ireland Ombudsman   Website- www.nipso.org.uk,

                                                             Email- nipso@nipso.org.uk

 
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