Sturminster Dental Care

The practice is committed to keeping abreast of the constant developments within dentistry and incorporating these into our regular practice where this is of benefit to the patient.

We like to keep you informed of any changes at the practice, to keep you up-to-date with what is happening and any special offers we may have.

We have a regular newsletter which features current topics of interest within the world of dentistry, information about the services we provide as well as keeping you up to date with what’s going on within our practice.

You can also keep up to date with the practice by following us on Facebook.

• Newsletter 24 (Spring/Summer 2019)
• Newsletter 23 (Spring/Summer 2019)
• Newsletter 22 (Autumn/Winter 2018)
• Newsletter 21 (Spring/Summer 2018)
• Newsletter 20 (Autumn/Winter 2017)
• Newsletter 19 (Spring/Summer 2017)
• Newsletter 18 (Autumn/Winter 2016)
• Newsletter 17 (Summer 2016)
• Newsletter 16 (Spring 2016)
• Newsletter 15 (Autumn/Winter 2015)
• Newsletter 14 (Spring/Summer 2015)
• Newsletter 13 (Autumn/Winter 2014)
• Newsletter 12 (Spring/Summer 2014)
• Newsletter 11 (Autumn/Winter 2013)
• Newsletter 10 (Spring/Summer 2013)
• Newsletter 9 (Autumn/Winter 2012)
• Newsletter 8 (Spring/Summer 2012)
• Newsletter 7 (Autumn/Winter 2011)

We would like to thank all of our patients who happily agreed to write a few words about their experiences of the practice, and for all of their kind words.

"I have been registered with Sturminster Dental Care for many years and have always found all of the staff to be friendly and helpful at every stage of what is not always an experience to look forward to! The dental treatment has, at every stage been of the highest technical standard and as a very anxious patient this is extremely reassuring".

"My husband and I have been patients at Sturminster Dental Care for more than 30 years and our children have been patients there throughout their lives. We have continued as patients because we have considerable respect for the standards of the practice together with very great trust in, and liking for its staff. I have always found the staff at the practice to be courteous, friendly and helpful, both at reception and in the practice rooms themselves. Both the dentists and the hygienist work to achieve, in my opinion, a very high standard. I would certainly recommend this practice to anyone".

"I have been a patient of Mr Thomason at Sturminster Dental Care for over 25 years.I have always received excellent dental treatment and found him to be considerate, polite and professional. The staff at Sturminster Dental Care have always been courteous, polite and kind, and created an atmosphere that is most friendly and welcoming. I would not hesitate to recommend Sturminster Dental Care to anyone".

"I would like to thank your practice for giving me the trust back in dentists. I had lost all trust in dentists after having a bad experience, and I never thought I would regain that confidence. Helen has given me back that trust. She is insightful, caring and gentle and these qualities combined with her skill makes her one in a million. Thank you so much for giving me back my smile.....Thank you to all the staff.....I would recommend your services to anyone."

"Bank - Doctor - Dentist - it's all too easy to stay with the one you have always used, without questioning whether or not you are getting the best service for you and/or your family. Sometimes though, a change proves to be beneficial. It was certainly so with our banking arrangements, and has now proved even more so with our Dental Practice. From the first contact with reception to the final outcome of the treatment, Sturminster Dental Care has been a revelation! I am aware that a visit to the dentist is not top of many people's list when it comes to a "good day out" - it's not my favourite trip either - but when a patient can leave the surgery feeling that a good job has been done with almost no discomfort, and when every member of the team seems to have the patient's wellbeing as a priority it comes as a refreshing change from the usual pattern of health related visits.We also greatly appreciate the services of the hygienist. Thank you Sturminster Dental Care".

"My wife and I have been patients at Sturminster Dental Care for the last 16 years, and despite moving away from the area some time back, we continue to look for all our dental support from Brian and his team at Sturminster Newton even though it is over an hour away from where we now live. Over the years we have consistently enjoyed a high standard of service and a friendly greeting from all the members of the team. We warmly recommend the practice to others and wish the practice the best of success for the future."

"My experiences at the practice since I first attended about a year ago have been excellent. Before my first exploratory visit I was aware that my teeth needed considerable treatment and re-engineering. I was given clear advice after the exploratory inspections. Clear in the terms of the work needed and the costs involved. The work has proceeded. It's not finished yet. I'm very pleased with the progress to date. The standard of the treatment is very high. Whenever I visit the practice the atmosphere is very professional. I've almost come to believe that visiting the dentist can be a pleasure. Both my wife and myself are always ready to recommend the practice."

"We have been clients for many years and would heartily recommend all aspects of the practice. Staff are always friendly, courteous and caring. Nothing is too much trouble. They are always helpful. Information regarding treatment is readily available with a plentiful supply of literature and staff ready to discuss any issues connected to the treatment. Treatment is carried out professionally and always with the least discomfort possible. Having experienced serious difficulties at other practitioners, our confidence has been fully restored. Any problems encountered are dealt with speedily, and in our experience, always successfully. We consider the ethos of the practice represents very good value for money."

"I have been a patient of Brian Thomason at Sturminster Dental Care for approaching twenty years. Without exception, I have always found the treatment received together with the attitude and manner of all the team to be professional, reassuring, helpful and very considerate. The fact that the surgery provides courtesy phone calls; not only as a reminder for appointments but also to follow up on my well-being after treatments a demonstration of their commitment to me as a patient. It is noticeable that the equipment and technology in the surgery is frequently updated or complemented with new additions."

In our practice we

• Always put patients’ interests first
• Justify the trust our patients have placed in us
• Listen to patients’ views and learn from them
• Communicate with patients in a courteous, friendly and professional manner using language that they can understand
• Treat patients as individuals and partners in their care, without prejudice and discrimination
• Provide patients with the standard of care that we would expect to receive ourselves
• Make sure that patients receive full information about our services, their treatment and the costs involved
• Promote good oral health and the prevention of dental disease
• Provide advice and treatment to registered patients outside normal surgery hours where necessary
• Stand by the promises we make
• Refer patients for further professional advice and treatment where appropriate
• Work effectively with our colleagues and contribute to good teamwork
• Only work within the limits of our professional knowledge and skills, professional competence and abilities
• Are committed to ensuring that we continually update and develop our professional skills and knowledge

In our practice we will

• Respect our patients’ confidentiality at all times
• Maintain and protect patients’ information
• Manage our appointment system with every effort given to running on time
• Provide patients with an explanation if we are running more than 10 minutes late
• Deal with every telephone call promptly
• Deal with correspondence within five days of receipt
• Provide patients with a treatment plan and estimate of costs for each new course of treatment. No treatment will be undertaken without the patient’s full and valid consent
• Raise concerns if patients are at risk
• Make patients aware of our policy for collecting fees. Requests for payment will always be made courteously
• Make the practice policy for dealing with complaints known to patients. All complaints will be treated sympathetically and according to the agreed procedures.
• Provide the highest standards of infection control
• Provide any emergency treatment required during practice hours as soon as is reasonably practicable. Out of hours, an emergency rota will operate and details will be displayed at the entrance to the practice and recorded on the telephone answering machine. This information will be correct at all times.
• Ensure that all legal requirements relating to Health and Safety in the Workplace are satisfied
• Ensure that all legal requirements relating to Dental Radiography are satisfied
• Obey the “Standards of Conduct”, and follow the guidance as set out by The General Dental Council

Our practice is committed to developing and maintaining a consistent quality of service for our patients:

1. We aim to provide dental care of consistently good quality

2. We will work with you to provide care that meets your needs and wishes

3. We aim to make your treatment comfortable and convenient

4. We will check for mouth cancer and tell you what we find

5. We will look after your general health and safety

6. we will follow current infection control standards

7. We keep our skills and knowledge up to date

8. We monitor the quality of our service to identify opportunities for improvements

We are very proud of our practice, and everything we have achieved. Sturminster Dental Care, formerly "The Old Malt House Dental Practice" has an interesting and varied history, which we thought we would share.

The Old Malt House Dental Practice was located in an extension to a Grade II listed thatched cottage.

Built in the 17th century, The Old Malt House was so named because of the belief that it was involved in the malting of barley when it was owned by the Pitt Rivers Estate.

From these early origins, it became St Mary’s nursing home. It was during this time that the brick extension with its high ceilings was added. We occasionally see some patients who were actually born here.

During the preparations for D-Day during the Second World War The Old Malt House was used as a small hospital. After the war the property was sold to the McCandlish brothers, Stuart and Alexander, and the hospital converted to a dental practice. Arthur (Bob) Tarrant took over the practice in the 1950’s, followed by Brian Thomason, the current owner in 1985. So, in over 60 years the Dental Practice has only had 3 careful owners!

In 2012, we actively started to look for new premises as we had outgrown our current location. Over the next three years we designed and planned our new practice in the location of the Creamery Building in Station Road. On the 10th March 2015 we opened as "Sturminster Dental Care" in our purpose built premises.

• Privacy Notice

We take complaints very seriously indeed and try to ensure that all our patients are satisfied with their experience of our service.

Information about the quality of service and the standards of care you should expect from us can be obtained from the Care Quality Commission at www.cqc.org.uk and the General Dental Council at www.gdc-uk.org

We are always ready to hear any comments, praise or criticism that you may have. Any complaints will be dealt with courteously and promptly so that the matter is resolved as quickly as possible. If you wish to make a complaint about any aspect of the service or care you receive, this is what to do:-

1) Ask to speak to the Practice Manager ( or deputy in their absence )

2) If the matter cannot be dealt with to your satisfaction by a verbal discussion, we would ask you to express your concerns in writing as clearly and precisely as possible.

3) Any written complaint will be acknowledged by the practice within TWO working days.

4) The complaint will be fully investigated; you may be asked to attend an interview to ascertain all the facts.

5) Following investigation, the practice will provide you with a more specific and detailed explanation within TEN working days.

Should you not be happy with the explanation received, the following opportunities exist the take the complaint further. At this point, you will be asked to sign a disclosure notice so that we can release details regarding your complaint to a third party.

Independent advice can be sought from:-

The Dental Complaints Service. Tel: 020 8253 0800

The Dental Helpline. Tel: 01788 539780

All complaints are treated in the strictest of confidence. All complaints are fully documented and stored securely at the practice

• Complaint Handling