FAQs

For full details on how to complain about any NHS or private treatment you’ve received from us, please download the ‘Policy for Handling Complaints’ by clicking here.

If you are travelling to us by car, then please call the Practice on 01792 642733 for directions.

If you are traveling to us by bus then you will need to catch either the Number 44 or 158 buses. For a full list of buses and the collection points please click here. Ask the driver to stop at Langdon Road.

If you have not completed a Medical History form in the last 6 months, then a new form will need to be completed. If you are not currently under treatment or have not attended the practice in over two months, then a new NHS PRW form will need to completed. If you would like to download the Medical History Document, then please click here.

The Beacon Centre for Health is fully accessible to patients with elevator access required as necessary.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide home visits, however we can make referrals to community services when appropriate.

Patients should be aware that 24 hours notice is required for cancellations of appointments. Continual failure to attend may result in removal from our list. A charge will be made for missed private appointments.

We accept cash and all bank cards, excluding American Express. We also provide interest-free finance options for treatment plans costing between £500-£1000 over 12 months. If the finance is for an amount over £1000 or spread over more than 12 months, the interest rate is 9.9%. Our finance services are provided through a third-party company, Chrysalis Finance.

If you fall into any of these categories when a course of treatment starts you will not need to pay for your NHS dental treatment:

• You are under 18, or are a full-time student under 19.
• You are expecting a baby, or you have had a baby in the last 12 months.
• You are named on a Tax Credit NHS Exemption Certificate.
• You are named on an NHS HC2 certificate for full help with health costs.

Or, you get or are included in an award of someone getting:

• Income Support,
• Universal Credit (during the period April 2013 – March 2014),
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (contribution based JSA does not entitle you to help with health costs),
• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (contribution based ESA does not entitle you to help with health costs), or
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, (Pension Credit savings credit on its own does not entitle you to help with health costs).
• Other benefits such as Incapacity benefit, Personal Independence Payment, Armed Forces Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance don’t entitle you to help with health costs because they are not income related.

Dental examinations are free in Wales if:

• You are under 25 years of age or
• You are aged 60 or over.
  Any subsequent treatment as a result of the free examination carries the appropriate charge.

We recommend using an electric toothbrush, however if you prefer to brush manually use a medium brush; with a small head, as it is easier to clean hard to reach places. We also recommend renewing your brush at least every 3 months. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a medium brush and Fluoride toothpaste. Replace the brush when the bristles get out of shape. Put the bristles at the join between teeth and gums, pointing towards the gums, and brush using short circular movements. Brush all around every tooth, carefully making sure you can feel the brush on your gums.

Don’t use too much force – give your teeth and gums a gentle scrub. Thorough brushing takes two or three minutes; why not time yourself? After brushing, you should spit out the toothpaste – but do not rinse, as this lessens the effect of the fluoride. Small children should only use a small, pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. They cannot brush properly until they are at least six or seven, so an adult should help them brush their teeth. One way is to stand behind the child and tilt their head back so all the teeth can be seen and reached. We recommend you spend between two and three minutes cleaning your teeth, followed by flossing and then mouth wash.