The highest standards
About us
St Helen’s Dental practice was Established in 1984 by Meredyth Bell MBE. Her ethos has always been one of delivering the best in patient care. This ethos continues today with dentists Amanda Strong, Louise McNally and Andrew Armstrong and their professional team.
We are dedicated to helping our patients maintain healthy mouths and confident smiles. We offer responsible and safe cosmetic and preventative dentistry. Our waiting area and all our surgeries are equipped with high volume ‘viruskiller’ air purifier systems to rapidly remove all airborne particles, killing 99.99999% of viruses.
We are ‘Denplan Excel Accredited’ and rated as safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led by the Care Quality Commission, so you can be sure that your care meets the highest standards. We aim to meet all our patients needs. We have disabled access surgeries, a family waiting area and a friendly welcome from one of our care coordinators for all new patients. So even the most anxious of patients can feel reassured.
All new patients will be sent a welcome pack. At your initial visit you will be required to complete a medical history form, so please be prepared to be able to provide the names of any medications that you take. You will be welcomed by one of our care-coordinators who will take some time to introduce you to the practice and find out how we may be able to help you, and if you have any special requirements that we need to consider. You will then be seen by the dentist for a Dental Health Check, and x-rays if they are required. The care-coordinator and the dentist may take some photographs of your teeth with your permission, to form part of your dental record. The dentist will discuss a treatment plan with you and give you a written treatment plan with costings. If you should have any questions following your visit then call us and one of our team will be happy to talk to you.
We are aiming to make access to our facilities inclusive. We have two downstairs surgeries that are accessible via a ramp to allow wheelchair and step-free access. There is on street disabled parking opposite the practice.
We are aware of the difficulties that autistic patients can encounter during a visit to the dentist. We will aim to do all that we can to help your visit go smoothly. If you are a parent or carer of a person with autism who may have special requirements then please don’t hesitate to contact the practice ahead of your visit.
Our staff are trained in caring for patients with dementia and we will endeavour to keep all appointments with the same dentist to provide the best continuity of care in familiar surroundings.
We are regulated by the General Dental Council (GDC). All our dentists and qualified nurses are registered with the GDC.
There are nine principles registered dental professionals must keep to at all times. As a GDC registrant you must:
1 Put patients’ interests first
2 Communicate effectively with patients
3 Obtain valid consent
4 Maintain and protect patients’ information
5 Have a clear and effective complaints procedure
6 Work with colleagues in a way that is in patients’ best interests
7 Maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills
8 Raise concerns if patients are at risk
9 Make sure your personal behaviour maintains
patients’ confidence in you and the dental profession
.
If you feel that your care has not met your expectations then we appreciate your feedback. We will aim to resolve any issues promptly and courteously.
If you wish to make a complaint or let us know how we could have done better, please contact the practice manager Alison Knapp
By phone: 01900 826210
By E-mail: [email protected]
By letter: Alison Knapp, St Helens Dental Practice, Market Place, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9NQ
We aim to acknowledge any such concern within two working days and to respond in full within ten working days. If we cannot fulfil these timescales, we will let you know promptly. In the unlikely event that the practice is unable to deal with any complaint to your satisfaction, you should contact:
For private patients:
Dental Complaints Service
Tel: 08456 120 540
e-mail: [email protected]
For NHS patients:
NHS England
Tel: 0300 311 2233
e-mail: [email protected]
For patients with a Denplan Care plan, contact the Clinical Mediation and Risk Management team for advice at:
Simplyhealth Professionals
Tel. 0800 169 7220
E-mail : [email protected]
A team dedicated to offering the highest standards of dental care. Get in touch to find out more.