Welcome to Valley Dental

Dear all patient

We are writing to inform you about a significant change in our NHS dental services that will take effect from the 1st of April 2024.

After careful consideration and with a heavy heart, we have made the difficult decision to reduce our NHS services due to challenges in retaining an NHS dentist. We understand the impact this decision may have on our valued patients, and we want to assure you that it was not made lightly. Over the past year, we have made every effort to accommodate our existing patients, but unfortunately, the current circumstances have proven to be challenging. Currently, we only have one dentist working on the NHS contract, compared to three dentists 12 months ago. Despite our best efforts, finding a new dentist has been a complex task.

Beginning April 1st, there will be a considerable reduction in the number of patients we can accommodate, including emergency appointments. We want to keep you informed about the changes to our appointment booking system:

• Examinations Booking: The appointment book for examinations will open on the 1st working day of every month. For instance, if you call on the 1st of April, the book will open for appointments in June.
• Limited Appointments: Please be aware that there will be a limited number of appointments available. We understand this may be frustrating, but we assure you that we will treat all patients fairly, regardless of their length of time at the practice.

We are actively seeking a new dentist to join our team and hope to expand our services in the future. We understand that these changes may be alarming to some patients, and frustration with the system is expected. However, we kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation during this challenging time.

It is essential to note that we have a zero-tolerance policy for verbal abuse towards our staff. Any such behaviour will result in the denial of future appointments. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a respectful and supportive environment for our team. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we work to navigate these challenges. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the practice.

Sincerely,
Samantha Jones (practice manager)