Patient reviews of the Tewkesbury practice

It was a block of 3 visits. The first to look at the problem, the next two to carry out the treatment necessary. The treatment was carried out efficiently and attentively, and without encountering any difficulties. I was therefore perfectly satisfied. I do however have issues with the cost associated with the first short visit given that I am paying £16 each month, a total of nearly £200 a year , for seeing the dentist ONCE a year, and the hygienist twice. In practice that means that most months of the year I do not see the inside of the practice, and when outside of that if I need to, it is only by paying even more money, even if it does not involve any treatment!

My last visit to the hygienist was satisfactory apart from the price going up by 40% since my last visit, 3 months earlier.

On that occasion the price also increased even though I did not receive the full hygiene treatment.

My concerns were not addressed to my satisfaction.

I received excellent service.Mr Martin was kind and understanding, calming down a very nervous lady for her procedure. I cannot thank him enough.

I do feel, however, that your patient toilet should be available for use. My apologies if this is now the case.

I have been a customer for c. 10 years and appreciate COVID has impacted the service but in the last few months I have had to rearrange my schedule 4 times as hygienist appointments were cancelled as either hygienist wasn’t prepared to wait around for my appointment or the dentists decided last minute furloughing the hygienist was more important than honouring appointments already disappointingly rearranged to suit.

The confusion over what you are actually paying for. For example my wife and I paid 50% up front yet my wife gets charged fully again for a hygienist visit plus it was £9 more than quoted.

Unable to get this resolved until the secretary comes back from holiday.

My daughter Ruby has special needs and despite phone calls to explain this and how she needs to be handled the new dentist we saw was completely unaware of the situation. She hadn’t been informed which is very anxiety inducing for Ruby.

in making the appointment i stated that i needed a small cosmetic filling replaced.This was not done & i was expected to make another appointment. attitude of staff was very impersonal despite the fact i have been a client for many years.

I do not think it is acceptable when a patient arrives promptly for a appointment that they have wait outside, also that toilets are not available now. This does not apply in doctors surgery, opticians etc. WHY?

No need for patients to wait outside or toilets to be closed.

Curtains could do with replacing for patient privacy. I work in local hospital and we achieve very high standards of infection control, and patients sit in waiting areas with access to toilets.

I think when dentists do a check up they should go scale a polish too, they always used to. In and out ion 5 minutes-a large cost for hardly any time

After booking for a dental appointment 9 months ago, the appointment was changed the week before. I received a short message, no explanation or apology and no mention that my longstanding dentist had left the practice.

I have been with this practice for over 20 years and it has gone from a friendly, local practice to a cold, business venture where virtually all the staff have changed. All the reasons I remained have been removed and I am actively looking for a new dentist practice.

I have been satisfied with treatment and attitude during difficult Covid times with 2 reservations.

1. There was never any suggestion of amendments being made to a reduced service while paying full rates for private cover for dental care. I therefore withdrew membership and opted to pay as a private patient for treatments.

2. As an 86 year old I found waiting outside until called in for treatment difficult standing as NO provision for sitting was provided although the area was under cover. This may not cause problems for younger patients but consideration for others with unseen physical problems suffered.

3. Help with emergency treatments was very acceptable during difficult times.

Congratulations on maintaining an efficient and friendly service during these challenging circumstances. Always there when needed.

Attending for a routine Hygeinist appointment it would have been nice to have been informed that this would be carried out manually and not mechanically. I understand the reasons why i.e. to minimise aerosol COVID transmission risk however I do feel I should have been informed of this before the treatment was carried out.

I am treated as an individual and I feel comfortable I can discuss my concerns with [my dentist].

I value his judgement and skill with my dental issues.

P.S I cannot remember the date of my last appointment. It was in March/April.

I have had to guess a date so the survey would accept my information.

I was treated very well with knowledgeable staff but your costs are making me consider a move.

Have always been terrified of dentists. [My dentist] is brilliant. He has empathy with me and treats me kindly and with patience.

Waiting outside in a crafty alley (COVID accepted) often beyond the appointment time is not a pleasant experience. The cost of membership is not small particularly when set against the practice of charging for attendance when no treatment is given, and (COVID accepted) the insistence on continuing to charge a membership monthly fee even when there is no access to the practice, and lastly it only covers a once a year face to face with the dentist. On the other hand the treatmentI have received, and the receptiveness of all staff has been always pleasant and dignified.