Patient Attendance Policy

This policy is to highlight the guidance around regular attendance and the obtaining of appointments for NHS patients. It is relevant to all staff and patients working within Birchwood Dental Practice.

Here at Birchwood Dental Practice we pride ourselves on having readily available and flexible appointments for our patients when needed.
Under the NHS patients are able to visit ANY Dental Practice across England for an appointment (if there is availability), this means that patients can be seen at more than one practice if necessary.
Birchwood Dental Practice Prioritise our appointments on regular attendants. Those who attend the practice regularly will be seen as a priority over those who have not attended over the last 2 years.
We reserve the right to refuse anyone an appointment who has not attended the practice within 2 years.
As a courtesy we will always try to remind our patients of upcoming appointments by SMS or Email, however, this is not our responsibility to do so. Patients are responsible for the upkeep and scheduling of their own appointments.
Birchwood Dental Practice WILL NOT be sending out de-registration letters as no patient is registered at any one Dental Practice under the NHS.
There is always the option to book an NHS appointment when one becomes available when the practice has capacity to see more NHS patients.
This will be advertised on our website, Facebook page and Instagram account.
If you are struggling with a dental problem and do not have a regular Dental Practice which you attend then you can always call the dental helpline number on 0161 476 9651.

Published March 2021
Review date March 2022