In order to make sure that we are making the most of the limited resources we have we to provide NHS dental care we are constantly reviewing our active patient lists.
If you are an NHS patient who has not been to the practice for some time after there last check up was due you may be removed from our active patients list and marked as lapsed. This means you will need to join our waiting list to be seen in the Practice again on the NHS.
How do I know what my recall frequency is?
Your recall frequency will be discussed at you most recent check up and can vary from visit to visit depending on your dental need.
It is important that you make a note of this and either book in for your next check up as you leave or make a diary note to call us when you are next due.
We do have some mechanisms to remind you when you next appointment is due however this is an extra service we provide. It should be seen as one of a few ways to remember when your next check up is due and can not be relied up. Falling lapsed because we did not contact you is not a valid reason to be reinstated as active in the Practice.
Why do we do this?
This allows us to make the most of the limited resources we have to provide NHS dental care.
How can I help try and prevent becoming a lapsed patients?
We would advise the following:
Do you try and contact us?
We will try and contact you if we have up to date contact information however it is not always and so you should not rely on this as the only means of remembering your check up is due.
Do I have to follow the advice of the dentist regarding recalls?
No you don’t. However we would always recommend that you do follow the advice of your dentist.
If you chose not to do this then it increases the chance that you may become a lapsed patient and that we will be unable to see you on the NHS.
What can I do if I feel I have been unjustly removed from your NHS active patients list?
You can write to the Practice Manager explain your unique circumstances using info@bridgedentaltowcester.co.uk or via the post.
We will not discuss lapsed patient queries on the phone.
