Aldgate House Dental Care

1. Introduction

At Aldgate House Dental Care, we are committed to providing the highest standard of dental care in a safe, professional, and ethical environment.

These Terms of Service outline the conditions under which we provide dental services. By attending the practice, you agree to these terms.

If you have any questions, please speak to a member of our team.

Please note that any information provided on our website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional dental advice. A clinical examination is required before any diagnosis or treatment recommendation can be made.

Aldgate House Dental Care holds an NHS contract with NHS England and also provides private and cosmetic dental treatments.

2. Treatment Planning

Following your consultation, a personalised treatment plan will be provided, including details of recommended treatment and associated costs.

• Treatment plans must be reviewed and agreed before treatment begins
• Patients may be asked to sign to confirm understanding and consent
• Treatment plans are valid for 6 months from the date issued
• Plans may change based on clinical or radiographic findings, which will always be discussed with you

3. Consent

We follow strict clinical and ethical guidelines to ensure informed consent is obtained prior to treatment.

• Written consent is required for certain procedures
• Patients (or legal guardians) will be fully informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives
• You have the right to ask questions before consenting

4. Fees and Payment

We operate a pay-as-you-go system and do not offer credit accounts.

• Payment is required at the time of treatment
• Deposits or pre-payment may be required for specialist, cosmetic, hygiene, or extended appointments.
• Laboratory-based treatments must be paid in full at the impression stage.

Payment methods accepted:

• Cash
• Debit/Credit Cards (including American Express)
• Bank transfer

We do not accept cheques.

Unpaid accounts may be referred to a debt collection agency or pursued through the Small Claims Court. We reserve the right to recover any associated costs.

5. Finance Options

Finance may be available for eligible treatments over £350 

• Finance agreements must be approved and signed before treatment begins
• A deposit may still be required
• If treatment is cancelled after finance is arranged, terms of the finance provider will apply

6. Insurance and Membership Plans

• Patients with Denplan or similar schemes should refer to their individual policy terms
• Patients with private or corporate insurance must pay for treatment upfront and claim

reimbursement directly from their provider

7. Cancellations and Missed Appointments

We require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for cancellations.

Failure to provide sufficient notice may result in a missed appointment fee, based on the time reserved.

• Fees may be charged up to £100 per hour
• Outstanding fees must be paid before booking further appointments

We accept cancellations via phone, email, or message; however, cancellations are only valid once acknowledged by the practice.

8. Continuity of Care

We aim to provide continuity by allocating patients to a regular dentist wherever possible.

• You may request a specific dentist
• If your usual dentist is unavailable, an alternative clinician may be offered
• Permanent changes can be arranged upon request

9. Patient Responsibilities

Patients are responsible for:

• Providing accurate and complete medical histories
• Informing us of any changes to health, medication, or personal details
• Attending appointments on time

Failure to provide accurate information may affect treatment outcomes.

10. Complaints Policy

We take complaints seriously and aim to resolve concerns promptly and fairly.

• Complaints may be made in writing, by email, or in person
• Acknowledgement will be provided within 3 working days
• We aim to resolve complaints within 15 days

Clinical complaints will be referred to the treating dentist where appropriate.

A full Complaints Policy is available upon request.

11. Zero Tolerance Policy

We operate a strict zero-tolerance policy toward:

• Abusive or threatening behaviour
• Disruptive or intoxicated conduct
• Persistent missed or late cancellations

In such cases, we reserve the right to refuse treatment or remove patients from the practice list.

12. Data Protection

We comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

• Patient information is stored securely
• Clinical records remain the property of the practice
• Copies may be requested (an administrative fee may apply)

For full details, please refer to our Privacy Notice.

13. Privacy Notice

We are committed to protecting your personal data.

Information collected will only be used for clinical care, administration, and communication purposes.

We do not share your data with third parties unless required by law or with your consent.

14. Use of Images and X-rays

With your consent, we may use anonymised images or x-rays for:

• Educational purposes
• Marketing or promotional materials

Your identity will never be disclosed. You may withdraw consent at any time.

15. Communication

We may contact you via:

• SMS
• Email
• Telephone

For appointment reminders and recalls.

You may opt out of communications at any time by informing reception.

16. Review and Updates

This policy is regularly reviewed and updated in line with current regulations and best practice