This is a guide to the information published by Larkfield Dental Practice required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The principle dentist is Theo van Diepen and associate dentist Tarang Prakash.
Introduction
This publication is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Larkfield Dental Practice. It is not a complete list of publications since this will change as other things are produced, but it is a description of the classes of information that we provide.
How much do they cost?
All publications are available to view at the surgery but we can also provide you with hard copies if necessary. Our ‘Practice Information Leaflet’ is available at no cost from reception but there will be an administration charge of £10.00 for copies of our various practice policies.
How are they published?
All of the information is available by request from the practice and they can be requested via Theo van Diepen.
Your right to information
As well as our published information, present and former patients of the practice have the right to access the personal information that we hold about them in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Details of how to do this are available from Theo van Diepen.
Feedback
We have produced this guide in order to comply with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
The purpose of the Act is to encourage organizations working for the public to be more open about the information we have. We welcome your views on additional classes of information which might be included and on the publications themselves. If you have any comments or suggestions about the scheme, please send them to Theo van Diepen.
Classes of information
We hold various types of information which we review, retain or dispose of according to NHS rules. Our information is classed into seven categories:
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- Who we are.
- Our services.
- Financial information.
- Information for patients and the public
- Complaints.
- Our policies and procedures.
- This guide.
Class 1: Who we are
Details of the dentist and dental hygienists are contained in the practice information leaflet. Details include name, sex and date of first registration with the General Dental Council, specialist status and whether they are full or part time. The name of the Practice Manager is also included.
Class 2: Our services
Information about our services is contained in the practice’s patient information leaflet which is available at reception. The information includes:
- Opening times.
- Arrangements for emergency care.
- Details of access to the premises for people with disabilities.
- The languages we speak and the availability of interpreters.
- Whether we have dental hygienist of if orthodontic treatment is available.
- Whether we provide intravenous sedation for anxious patients.
- Information about the care and treatment provided by the practice.
‘We do not offer NHS dentistry services. We offer a full range of pay as you go private dental treatments as well as Denplan payment plans for adults and children.
New patient registrations are subject to availability at the time of enquiry.’
Class 3: Financial information
We provide information about:
- Private Fees
- Historical treatment cost estimates
- Denplan Fee Codes or Denplan Kids monthly fees.
Class 4: Information for patients and the public
We make available information leaflets about:
- Types of dental treatment
- Healthy diet
- Healthy teeth
- Reducing anxiety about dental care
- Other health information
- NHS information leaflets
Copies of these and other leaflets are available at reception.
Class 5: Complaints
We have a practice complaints procedure, a copy of which is available from Theo van Diepen.
Class 6: Practice policies
We have policies and procedures which ensure that the practice operates in a safe and efficient manner. These include:
- Data protection
- Data security
- Confidentiality
- Health and Safety
- Radiation protection
- Infection control
Copies of these policies are available for a fee of £10.00 each from Theo van Diepen.
Class 7: This guide
This guide will be reviewed regularly and we will also keep the list of publications up to date.
From January 2005 we will be required by the Freedom of Information Act to respond to requests from the public to access recorded information that we hold. There are some exemptions to this right and it does not change the rights of our patients to have all of their personal information kept strictly confidential and available to them on request.