Emergency Appointment for Registered Private Patient Policy

This policy applies to all patients of the practice, who request or require an emergency dental appointment. It outlines the procedures, charges, and expectations associated with emergency dental care provided by the practice.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure consistency, transparency, and clarity in the management of dental emergencies. It sets out the costs involved, the nature of treatment provided under emergency care, and the process for escalation or follow-up treatment where needed.

1. Emergency Appointment Fee

• Emergency dental appointments are charged at a fixed rate of £80 (£68 for Membership Plan Patients).
• This is a minimum charge for all patients attending an emergency appointment.

2. What This Charge Includes

• One temporary filling
• Prescriptions (if clinically indicated)
• Re-fixation of a single crown

3. What This Charge Does NOT Include

• X-rays (these are charged separately if required)
• Permanent restorations or fillings
• Root canal treatment (extirpation)
• Extractions
• Any further or additional treatments beyond the basic emergency interventions

4. Patient Consent and Understanding

• This is an emergency appointment and the £80 charge is the minimum fee
• If you choose not to attend for emergency care, you can be booked into the next available routine appointment slot, which may carry different fees or entitlements depending on your patient status (e.g. membership plan or private).
• The nature and limitations of an emergency appointment are clearly communicated prior to the appointment.

5. Treatment Scope During Appointment

• The dentist will assess the issue presented and provide the most appropriate immediate care, in line with the charge.
• If there is sufficient time, and if clinically appropriate, definitive treatment may be provided during the same appointment, in which case additional charges will apply.
• You will be advised in advance of any further charges beyond the standard £80 emergency fee.

6. Payment Terms

• Full payment (£80) is required at the time of booking the emergency appointment.
• Appointments will not be confirmed or held without full payment.

7. Further Treatment Needs

• If ongoing or additional treatment is required following the emergency visit, this will be:
  • Discussed with the patient
  • Documented in the clinical notes
  • Supported by a clear treatment plan, including itemised costs if necessary
  • Scheduled appropriately in line with clinical need and availability

8. Unregistered Patients

For emergency appointments involving unregistered patients, our separate policy applies: Please read ‘Unregistered Patient Emergency Appointment’ for specific guidance on eligibility, fees, and treatment limitations which can be found below:

Unregistered patients seeking emergency appointments

• Where a patient is un-registered, we will accept them for a private emergency only appointment.
• The patient is considered “unregistered” if they have not attended for 3 years or have not previously had a New Patient Examination appointment.
• The fee for this appointment is £250 and payment MUST be taken over the phone before a booking is made.
• The £250 fee will include everything required at that appointment to relieve pain such as temporary fillings, prescriptions, small X-rays, extractions, refixing crowns/bridges. It DOES NOT include any permanent restoration or ongoing care.
• The patient must be warned that attending for an emergency does not mean ongoing registration with the practice. If they wish to remain a patient here, they must attend for a New Patient Examination.
• If a patient does not wish to proceed with full registration, each and every subsequent appointment for an emergency will be charged at £250 also.

The £250 fee is not dependant on how soon the patient will be seen but is a flat fee for any and all unregistered patients as defined above.

Please call the practice on 02920515151 to book an Emergency Appointment