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Frequently Asked Questions
If you want general information on a condition or
treatment, click here
to go to the British Dental Health Foundation's web
site where they have over 40 online leaflets.
If you have a specific query about the dental centre
that is not answered in this section, then please contact
us and we will be happy to help.
Why do I need to visit the dentist?
Cavities may or may not cause discomfort; even though
it doesn’t hurt, the tooth is deteriorating. With
the help of dental x-rays, the dentist can detect hidden
tooth decay. When cavities are small, they are much
easier and less expensive to treat.
Also, mouth cancer can often be spotted during its early
stages by your dentist.
What is mouth cancer?
It is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of
the mouth, including the tongue, lips and throat. Mouth
cancers have a higher proportion of deaths per number
of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma.
The mortality rate is just over 50%, despite treatment,
with about 1,700 deaths per year in the UK. This is because
of late detection.
Mouth Cancer
Awareness |
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Visit your
dentist at once if you notice any abnormal
problems or are not sure. Six-monthly dental checkups
allow early detection!
Cancer Research leaflet (PDF format): Mouth
Cancer Leaflet >>
Mouth Cancer web site: RDOC
Mouth Cancer web site >> |
Who are the dentists?
Dr M K Vasant, Dr Raj Bolaky, Dr Shahrzad Radpour, Dr
Ranjan Nath and Dr Farhad Mawani. Click here
to learn more about our team of dentists, practice manger,
nurses and receptionists.
What dental plans do you offer?
The centre offers treatment options to include NHS, Denplan,
BUPA and Independent (reduced private fee). All registered
patients continue to be able to remain on their chosen
option provided they continue to attend the centre ideally
every six months. New patients (or fee-paying adult patients
who have lapsed their NHS registrations because they have
not attended the practice for 15 months) are welcome to
be seen on the Independent basis. Once their mouth has
been rendered dentally fit (i.e. tooth decay and gum disease
have been treated), they may join any of the above options.
Any patient under 21 years of age or exempted from NHS
charges (income support or JSA etc) is welcome to register
with the centre on the NHS if required. Please note certain
treatments are not available on the NHS.
NHS or Independent?
Broadly speaking NHS provides adequate care to maintain
oral health. This does not mean poor nor top quality but
merely adequate. There are some aspects of treatment,
mostly cosmetic, which are not available under the NHS.
Some items of treatment under the NHS are subject to approval.
Senior dentists in the practice have closed their NHS
lists for fee-paying adults. Patients seeking the best
quality treatment with no constraints upon the materials
used, time taken, techniques, and laboratories used should
look at non-NHS treatment. We are confident that this
practice offers top quality modern equipment and materials
equal to if not superior to many West-End practices and
indeed hospitals. Our independent charges are very reasonable.
We will try to work around hours convenient to you. It
has been understood that dentistry is a combination of
art and science and no two restorations nor mouths are
the same. Each restoration presents a different challenge
and thus each case will vary in the amount of time taken
to carry out properly.
What happens on my first visit?
This visit is called the Full Case Assessment. Here, the
dentist will record your medical history, carry out your
full mouth examination (to rule out oral diseases which
include cancer), check gum health and examine the teeth
in detail. He may also take x-rays of your mouth. This
is an ideal opportunity for you to ask any questions about
your mouth and appearance of your teeth that may bother
you. A written down treatment plan with various options
and a cost estimate will then be give to you.
What treatments do you provide?
We offer general dentistry, cosmetic
dentistry (tooth whitening, veneers, white fillings etc),
restorative dentistry (crown
& bridge, implants etc), treatment of gum disease,
oral surgery (wisdom tooth removal etc), preventive
dentistry and hygienist care.
Can I get specialist treatments?
Yes. We provide a range of specialist treatments which
can be found under our Restorative,
Preventive and Cosmetic
sections.
How can I get fresh breath?
Our programme for fresh breath:
- Medical History and Diet Questionnaire
- Oral health, gum and teeth examination for correct
diagnosis to exclude any mouth diseases (cancers,
fistulas, ulcers), food traps, gum diseases, tooth
decay, open contracts, etc
- Professional and home care advice to reduce bacterial
levels
- Appropriate mouthwashes, toothpastes and other aids
to control bacteria and minimise sulphur compounds
that causes halitosis (bad breath)
For more information and advice contact our practice
for a breath analysis appointment. Normal consultation
charges will apply. Here are the facts:
- Up to 90% of halitosis comes from oral causes
- Food and tobacco contribute to halitosis but are
not primary causes
- The primary sites for odour causing bacteria are
tongue and gums
- Halitosis is especially prevalent in gum diseases
- Faulty dental restorations, oral and general diseases
contribute to halitosis
- Halitosis is caused by sulphur compounds produced
by bacteria
- Elimination of halitosis involves bacterial removal
and destruction of sulphur compounds
- Over the counter mouthwashes, toothpastes and mints
only cover up bad breath with stronger more pleasant
odour but does not eliminate the cause
Surveys in the USA have shown that 65% of people have
chronic halitosis also known as oral malodur or quite
simply bad breath. Figures in the UK are probably no different.
Chronic halitosis is a socially embarrassing condition
but it can also be the first sign of disease.
In 1996, Dr M K Vasant and his colleagues in the Faculty
of General Dental Practitioners of the Royal College of
Surgeons hosted a seminar by Dr Richard Miller of Washington
USA who is a recognized authority on the subject. The
topic received wide media attention. The issue was also
featured on BBC’s ‘Here and Now’ programme.
Many of the people who have halitosis, do not even know
it. Treatment in most cases not only results in cleaning
up their bad breath, but also helps to save their teeth.
New scientific technology has shown that bad breath can
be diagnosed and treated effectively and in most cases
quite simply!
What are the opening hours?
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday |
8.00am - 8.00pm
8.00am - 5.30pm
8.00am - 5.30pm
8.00am - 5.30pm
8.00am - 5.30pm
9.00am - 1.00pm |
How do I make an appointment?
Simply, give us a call on 020 8764 1424 during our opening
hours shown above.
Do you provide emergency treatment?
We endeavour to accommodate dental emergencies on the
same day. Please telephone the practice as early as possible
in the day so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
If you are a registered patient of the practice and develop
a dental emergency outside the above hours, you may still
be able to obtain urgent treatment. Please telephone the
surgery and follow the instructions on the recorded message.
Do you have any Dental First Aid advice?
Bleeding from tooth socket
Apply biting pressure using a gauze pad or unused tea
bag for 15 minutes. Do not take Aspirin as it may increase
your tendency to bleed. Contact practice if bleeding continues.
Tooth loss in playground
Try and find the tooth. If very soiled wash with water
or milk. If possible put it back in the socket. If not,
carry it in patient's mouth if possible or milk or distilled
water (battery water). Contact your dentist immediately.
Fractured tooth
A clean fractured fragment of a tooth can be reattached
using modern techniques. Transport it as per above.
How do I cancel an appointment?
If you have to cancel an appointment, please give a minimum
24 hours notice. This enables us to reschedule that time
and perhaps allocate it to somebody in pain. The centre
has a strict policy of charging for broken appointments,
based on the time lost. This charge is payable prior to
booking a further appointment. It is payable irrespective
of age/registration status (whether exempt from NHS charges,
BUPA, Mayday staff etc).
Do you provide parking?
There is parking in the forecourt of the building reserved
for patients. When this is full, parking is usually available
on side streets.
Do you cater for the elderly, disabled
and children?
The centre has one consulting room on the ground floor
which is suitable for the elderly and disabled. The other
four consulting rooms are on the 1st floor. There is an
ambulant WC facility on each floor. There is also a play
area for children in the lounge with a DVD player showing
children's dental educational programmes.
Is your equipment steralised?
The centre has modern equipment and conforms with British
Dental Association, Faculty of General Dental Practitioner
(Royal College of Surgeons) and Health and Safety Executive
guidelines.
How do I pay and what is the pricing
plan?
A deposit is usually required at the first visit. Payment
is made as treatments progresses so all monies are paid
prior to the last appointment. Click here
to view our pricing plan.
What do your patients think?
To read patient testimonials please click here.
Do you recommend any useful web sites?
We have listed our favourite web sites here.
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