Largs Dental Surgery

About

We specialise in NHS and private dental care for your whole family.

Story

Largs Dental Surgery is owned by Walter Brown. Isabel Saunderson, Alison McGregor and Natalie Doherty are associates within the practice.

The practice is primarily a National Health Service practice and as such will provide all the necessary treatment to secure and maintain your oral health. However there are increasingly some treatments (mainly cosmetic) which are not available under the NHS regulations. You may choose to have these procedures or any other treatments carried out privately as an alternative to NHS work. We are always happy to discuss these options with you.

It is our policy for each patient to see one dentist on a continuing basis. If, for any reason, this is not possible suitable arrangements can be made for you to see another dentist within the practice. It is also easy for you to change dentist within the practice if you so desire. Please ask at reception.

We employ a dental hygienist, Helen Jamieson, on a part-time basis. She is trained in all aspects of dental care including scaling and polishing teeth, fissure sealing, topical fluoride and is trained to give advice on promoting and maintaining oral health.

Simple orthodontic treatment (tooth straightening) is carried out at our practice. More complicated cases will be referred to a Consultant Orthodontist for advice and possibly treatment.

Natalie Doherty offers intravenous sedation for those patients with anxiety issues about their treatment.

Denture repairs can normally be repaired within three days.

We always try to see patients at the appointed time. If you are kept waiting there is normally a good reason. Please be patient.

If you have to cancel an appointment, we require 24 hours notice where possible. This enables us to make alternative arrangements - perhaps to see someone in pain. We reserve the right to charge for broken appointments.

If you are in one of the following categories you may qualify for full or partial exemption from NHS charges: under 18, under 19 and in full-time education, an expectant mother, a mother with a child under one year, income support, job seekers, working family tax credit or on a low income. If in doubt please ask. Note that new regulations require us to see proof of benefit or age.

Please keep us informed about any drugs that you may be prescribed and about any medical history whether or not you think it relevant.

As a caring practice we take all necessary and recommended precautions to safeguard both patients and staff against blood-borne infections such as HBV and HIV. We follow all recommended guidelines with regards to the cleaning and sterilisation of instruments and the use of disposables wherever practical.

We do not have facilities suitable for wheelchair access as our premises are situated on the first floor. Home visits, however, can be arranged for any patient unable to visit the surgery. Obviously the range of treatments available is limited.

Children are always welcome however young they are. We aim to prevent dental disease rather than treat it at a later date. In our experience, the younger we see children the easier it becomes in the long term.

We are a registered Childsmile practice: a government scheme to ensure your child has the healthiest possible start in life. Elizabeth Pratt, our Extended-Duties Dental Nurse (EDDN), is qualified to carry out Childsmile duties.

We hope that our surgeries have been decorated and equipped to create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere in which to treat you. We are always happy to hear your comments.

Finally, if you have a complaint please approach us verbally in the first instance. If we cannot resolve the problem there and then we have the recognised complaints procedure in place. This requires you to write to The Complaints Officer.

Dental examinations are free for all NHS patients. An estimate will be given for any treatment required. A scale of basic NHS charges is on display in our waiting area.