Contacting

We advise our registered patients to print out this page and keeping the copy easily accessible

The ideal is that you can contact us 24/7 and that we can deal with your needs immediately. Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to achieve this, but we are attempting to improve your ability to contact, and for us to respond within a reasonable time, depending on the circumstances.

CIRCUMSTANCES	RESPONSE
EMERGENCY, such as pain uncontrolled by painkillers, swelling, and or fever originating from your mouth. Also included here is any other circumstance you consider an equivalent emergency.	Our aim is to allow you to contact your own dentist or the emergency cover dentist and receive treatment within hours. The generally accepted hours of contact are between 8am and 9pm seven days per week, 365 days of the year. We have made arrangements to achieve this. Dental emergencies aren't likely to be life threatening, and should you feel there is threat to life the patient should be seen in the Emergency Department of a hospital. Pain occurring in the middle of the night is upsetting, and you will be able to leave a message, but there is unlikely to be a response until the morning. Initially telephone our 01905 616000 number, and you will be given the most appropriate number to make emergency contact with a dentist.
URGENCY, such as broken tooth or lost filling where you are suffering from a fairly constant ache. Also includes circumstances you consider to be of equivalent urgency.	We would aim to give advice within hours and see you within 24 hours. Initially telephone our 01905 616000 number, and you will be given the most appropriate number to make urgent contact with a dentist.
CONCERN, such as broken tooth or lost filling where mild aching is occurring. Also includes circumstances you consider to be of of equivalent concern.	We would aim to give advice within 24 hours and see you within three days. Best to leave a message on our answer phone on 01905 616000.
ROUTINE, which includes all other circumstances.	Please contact us during appointment hours to make arrangements to be seen, leave a message on the answer phone on 01905 616000, or email us : graham@wharfdental.com.

Contact procedure:

in case you need to leave a message have the following details ready:
Your name, address, contact telephone number, and a brief description of your problem.
Telephone the practice on 01905 616000.
If we are at the practice:
the telephone will be answered immediately, or you will be asked to leave your details and we will get back to you within two hours.
If we are not at the practice:
During the daytime. You will be given a contact number for emergency contact with a dentist.
During the evening, weekends and bank holidays you will be given the telephone number of the on-call dentist.

What to do after being seen on an emergency basis

Even if you no longer feel that there is a problem, please let us know that you needed emergency care. When a patient is seen by another dentist we are not likely to be informed of this. Your dentist may decide that it is advisable to check that all is well.