We are happy to help our customers whenever we can. The specifics of our service terms and conditions are outlined in this document. However, if you have any questions or require clarification, please get in touch with us, and a staff member will be happy to assist you.
Please be aware that any and all information on our website (for example, forums, blogs, news, main site, live chat, phone, email, etc.) is provided solely for amusement and does not constitute professional guidance. Without a clinical consultation with a dentist, no professional advice can be given. We strongly suggest scheduling a full consultation with a dentist for expert dental advice.
Treatment Plans and Estimates
When your treatment plan has been agreed upon with the Dental specialist, we will provide printed details of your arrangement. Assuming this plan changes because of radiographic or clinical discoveries, we will inform you and discuss the issue with you. Fees and plans for treatment are valid for a period of ninety days from the date of the prescribed treatment. Please do not hesitate to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment plan.
Consent Forms
For some treatments, a written consent form must be completed. This is to fully inform you of the treatment, aftercare and any risks before any of these procedures are performed.
The patient or the dentist can revoke consent at any time for any treatment.
Fees
Fees and charges for treatment are expected on the day the treatment is given. We do not have an account in arrears facility At the appointment where impressions are taken, a minimum of 50% of the total fee is due if treatment involves a laboratory fee.
In order to avoid financial transactions or signatures being requested while a client is still under the influence of the sedative, fees for treatment that includes intravenous sedation must be settled before the appointment.
Please be aware that the finance agreement must be accepted and signed prior to the start of any treatment. No emergency dental treatment is eligible for financing, and a minimum deposit may also be required.
A cancellation fee of up to 15% of the total finance amount will be charged if you wish to cancel your treatment after signing the agreement forms but have financed any of the costs through the finance company. We reserve the right to request advance payment for certain treatments in certain circumstances.
Astro Dental can request charge time-based deposits for booking future appointments and consultations. The cost of treatment can be deducted from the deposit.
Accepted payment methods:
- Cash
- Debit cards
- Credit cards — excluding American Express
Unless otherwise agreed upon in advance with the practice owner, Astro Dental does not accept cheques. Please be aware that we reserve the right to recover all costs incurred in referring unpaid accounts to a debt collection agency or the Small Claims Court.
Cancellations and Missed Appointments
Scheduled appointment cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. When we make an appointment for a patient, we are setting aside time for that patient’s surgery and treatment. A missed appointment fee will be applied for cancellations made without sufficient notice. This expense is proportionate to the length of the appointment and covers the costs associated with the missed appointment.
If an appointment is missed or cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, Astro Dental reserves the right to charge the full cost of the treatment. For appointments longer than one hour, we require a minimum of 72 hours’ notice.
We reserve the right to require a 50% deposit to secure future appointments in the event of a missed appointment or a cancellation with less than 48 hours’ notice.
Further appointments for late cancellations or missed appointments are also up to the principal’s discretion.
We know that some patients have to drive a long way to get to the clinic, and sometimes they can arrive late for appointments. Please be aware that you may be asked to reschedule your appointment if you’re more than 10 minutes late.
Personal Information
It is crucial that you provide a complete medical history and medication information. Should your personal details change in any way, you must tell us. It is the patient’s responsibility to inform Astro Dental of any changes in medical history or personal contact details.
Guarantee
Fillings, crowns and bridgework at Astro Dental are covered by a 12-month guarantee if the following conditions are met:
- The patient has paid for the entire treatment and owes nothing to the practice for the services they received
- The restorations have not been damaged by trauma, excessive grinding, or an accident
- The patient has followed our dentists’ post-treatment maintenance recommendations
- The patient has attended a routine exam at least once every six months since the treatment
If a treatment has a guarantee that is less than one year, your dentist will let you know either verbally or in writing.
X-Rays and Images
On the Astro Dental website and in offline literature, Astro Dental may only use images and X-rays of your smile and teeth for marketing and educational purposes. Your identity will never be revealed, and neither will your name. But please let us know if you do not want us to use your X-rays and images in this way.
Patient Contact Information
The well-being of our patients is our top priority at Astro Dental. With this in mind, we like to keep all our patients updated on special offers and other significant changes within the clinic.
We like to remind our patients about their appointments, when they are due, and other important details. The clinic may contact you periodically via phone, text, email, or postal mail in this regard. In the event that you don’t wish to be reached by the clinic via any of these methods, let us know.
No Tolerance of Abuse
We take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse directed towards our staff and dentists; this includes loud, disorderly, or drunken behaviour, persistent missing appointments, and late cancellations of appointments (after multiple warnings). Astro Dental reserves the right to deny treatment and admission in these circumstances.
Data Protection
In accordance with the Data Protection Act and GDPR, we store all patient information on a secure computer system. Clinical notes, advanced radiographs, computerised photos and other important data remain the property of Astro Dental. We reserve the right to charge an administration fee for copies of notes, radiographs, and photographs that are requested.