Terms of Service
We will always provide the best service that we can to our patients. The following sections provide further clarity on our terms and conditions of service. If you have any queries, please email us info@ridgwaydental.co.uk
Website
Our website cannot guarantee the absence of errors or omissions, and it may contain outdated information due to changes in personnel, practices, or other factors. We cannot be held responsible if our website is unavailable at any time. Please note that any information provided on our website is for general interest only and should not be considered as personalised professional advice. For personalised professional dental advice, we strongly advise you to consult a dentist.
Treatment Plans
Once a treatment plan has been finalised, we will provide you with an estimate or treatment plan for your review and signature. It is important that you agree only after you have fully understood the care plan.
If you have any questions or concerns about the treatment plan, please address them before scheduling any appointments for treatment. By confirming the treatment plan, you are acknowledging that you have had the opportunity to inquire about any aspects, explore different treatment options, understand the proposed plan, as well as its risks, benefits, and associated costs.
In the event that adjustments need to be made to the clinical plan based on x-ray or clinical findings, we will notify you and thoroughly discuss the changes before proceeding.
Please note that treatment plans are valid for 14 days from the date of prescription, and any plans initiated after this period may require a review and additional planning at an additional cost before implementation.
Consent
Specific dental and medical procedures necessitate the completion of a consent form. We adhere to stringent regulatory standards to guarantee that the patient or their legal guardian comprehensively understands the treatment, post-treatment care, and associated risks prior to proceeding with any procedures.
Fees
We request pre-payment and deposits to confirm booking of appointments:
- For check-ups and hygiene appointments, and other appointments 30 mins or less we will take a deposit of £25
- For other dental treatments lasting up to 1 hour we will take a deposit of £100 (or the full cost of the treatment, whichever is lower)
- For any treatments lasting longer than 1 hour we may take a deposit amounting to half the cost of the total treatment
This policy does not apply to Denplan appointments. We do not offer credit and all fees must be settled at the time of the appointment where treatment is provided. For treatments involving laboratory fees, the full amount will be required at the first stage of the appointment. In case of a refund request, we retain the right to deduct any applicable transactional fees.
Fees for sedation treatments must be paid in advance of the appointment, as we are unable to accept payments post-treatment while patients may still be under the influence of sedatives.
Ridgway Dental provides finance agreements for treatments exceeding £500 through a third party, depending on the clinical situation. If treatment is financed through a finance company, the agreement must be accepted and signed before the commencement of treatment, including any cooling-off period.
Patients under Denplan should refer to their terms and conditions for contract treatments. Corporate and external insurance holders are required to pay for their treatment at the time of service and then seek reimbursement from their provider.
We do not accept payments by cheque. Ridgway Dental reserves the right to recover costs associated with treatment debts, appointment cancellations, or short-notice cancellations with a dental professional, with a 20% surcharge in addition to any fees from a debt recovery agency.
Regarding Gocardless, instalments, standing orders or Direct Debit payments, a £20 late payment fee will be added if a payment is missed and not collected on the due date. In case of accidental cancellation or any other reason prior to the full balance being collected by Gocardless, instalments, standing orders or Direct Debit payments a £200 fee will be imposed, and the debt, including the additional £200, will be forwarded to a debt collection agency for further action.
Late cancellations or failure to attend
Late cancellations (defined as cancellations made without providing a notice of at least 2 business days) and failure to attend appointments adversely affect our service and loyal patients. Failure to provide us with 48 hours’ notice or to attend a booked appointment will result in a late fee or loss of deposit. This equates to £20 for every 10 minutes of the missed/cancelled appointment (for example, £60 for a 30-minute consultation). In order to receive a refund for a deposit or pre-payment, Ridgway Dental mandates a minimum of 5 working days’ notice. Cancellations or no-shows that fall outside of this specified timeframe will not be eligible for a refund. Repeated instances of missing appointments or arriving late (3) may lead to de-registration.
Lateness for appointments
Kindly inform us if you anticipate being delayed for any scheduled appointments. Should you exceed a 10-minute delay, we may need to reschedule your appointment. We strive to accommodate as much as possible during your late arrival, but we may need to conclude on time out of respect for our other patients and clinicians. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late without prior approval, it may be considered a missed appointment, and you will not qualify for a refund.
Guarantee
Our practice, Ridgway Dental, offers a twelve-month guarantee on ceramic veneers, crowns, implants, and permanent fillings. This guarantee is valid if the patient has paid for the treatment in full, has not damaged the dental work due to neglect or accidents, has followed all maintenance recommendations, and no treatment is guaranteed for more than a year.
Personal Details
It is crucial for you to furnish a comprehensive and precise medical history, including information about any medications you are currently taking. Additionally, it is mandatory for us to have your accurate contact details in our system. If there are any changes to these details, it is of utmost importance that you inform your dentist and the reception team. Although we will make an effort to inquire and update all information during each visit, it is ultimately the patient’s responsibility to notify the clinic about any alterations in personal details or medical history. Rest assured; all records are maintained in compliance with stringent Data Protection guidelines.
Use of Images & X-rays
Ridgway Dental will utilise images and x-rays of your smile and teeth solely for educational purposes, our website, promotional materials, and educational literature. Rest assured, your name will remain confidential, and your identity will be protected at all times. We always seek permission before using any media, but if you prefer that we do not use your images and x-rays in this manner, please let us know.
Data Protection Act
Patient information is securely stored in compliance with the Data Protection Act on our computer system.
Ridgway Dental owns all clinical notes, radiographs, and photographs.
Upon written request, copies of notes, radiographs, and 3D Scans (CBCT) can be provided.
Contact
We strive to keep you informed about upcoming appointments by sending reminders through various channels such as calls, emails, SMS (text message), or post. If you wish to opt out of receiving reminders through any of these systems, please make sure to inform our reception during your next visit. Our aim is to reduce the number of late cancellations and missed appointments, as these directly affect the availability of our services and ongoing registration.
Please be assured that we do not utilise your information for any other purposes, and we do not share it with third parties.
Feedback & Complaints
At Ridgway Dental, we strive to guarantee the satisfaction of all our patients and value feedback to enhance our services. Any feedback or complaint is treated seriously to ensure a positive experience for every patient. You can submit feedback or complaints through our reception teams or via email. Rest assured that every complaint will be acknowledged as swiftly as possible, and our management will work diligently to resolve it promptly. For more details on our complaints policy, please consult a member of our reception team.
Positive patient relationship
At Ridgway Dental, we prioritise the cultivation of positive and trustworthy connections with our patients. In the event that any clinician at our practice believes that such a relationship has irreparably deteriorated or that trust cannot be upheld, we retain the prerogative to refuse further treatment for that patient at our facility.
Zero Tolerance / Abuse policy
At Ridgway Dental, we have a strict policy against any form of abuse towards our dental team, as well as instances of drunken or disorderly behaviour. Additionally, we do not tolerate persistent missing or late cancellation of appointments (3 appointments in any given period). In such circumstances, Ridgway Dental retains the right to decline treatment and admission to our practice.
Applicable law
The laws of England govern these terms and conditions, their subject matter, their formation, and the content of this website, with the Courts of England having exclusive jurisdiction.
Contact us
To contact us, please e-mail: info@ridgwaydental.co.uk
