Do you accept new NHS patients?
Yes, we accept all NHS patients. Please call our clinic on 01236 423 823 to make your first appointment.

Are you an NHS dental practice?
Yes, we offer the full range of NHS treatments but we also provide patients with private treatment alternatives so they may choose the option that suits them best. 

I am very anxious. Can you help?
Most people have a degree of anxiety when visiting the dentist, but we understand that for a minority of patients a trip to the dentist can be truly terrifying. At Main Street Dental Clinic, our friendly staff certainly welcome the opportunity to care for especially anxious patients and we run a sedation service to help alleviate any distress.

Here are some of the measures we take to help reduce your concern:
We listen to your fears and concerns and any past unpleasant experiences
We encourage you to bring a friend who can stay in the surgery with you throughout the exam or treatment for emotional support.
We initially begin with a simple exam and then gradually move on to professional dental cleaning as your confidence grows. As you build trust with our dental team, over time we will work our way up to fillings and other treatments.
We always use numbing gel before dental injections.
Before proceeding with any treatment, we always agree a stop-signal (such as raising your hand) to stop treatment any time you wish, putting you in control.
We encourage patients to bring their own headphones to distract from the dental sounds. 

How much does a dental exam cost?
Dental examinations are free under the NHS. However, you may pay for dental x-rays and professional dental cleaning if indicated.

How long will my first appointment last?
Usually lasts about 10-15mins

Do I need to arrive early for my first appointment?
Yes. Please arrive 10mins before your appointment to allow adequate time to complete patient forms (such as medical history and NHS registration forms)

What do I need to bring for my first appointment?
Please bring the following if applicable:
A list of your up to date medications.
Proof of any dental payment exemptions.
Personal information such as home address, phone, mobile numbers, and email address.

It is NOT necessary to bring your dental notes or x-rays from your previous dentist – we can request these from your previous dentist if needed.

How often should I see my dentist for a dental exam?
It is advised that you see your dentist regularly every six months even if you have no symptoms. This allows your dentist to catch small problems early, as often symptoms aren’t felt until an advanced stage of the disease process.

For example, tooth decay may not hurt until it is close to the nerves in the centre of the tooth and waiting until symptoms develop before seeing your dentist can mean the difference between a small filling or a Root Canal Treatment.

Your dentist can detect carious cavities six months to a year before they develop any symptoms, it is not uncommon to see a patient with a huge dental cavity when they have not felt a thing!

I have dentures! Do I still need to see the dentist for regular exams?
If you do not have your own natural teeth and instead wear dentures, you still need to see the dentist at regular intervals as your dentist will examine your oral health and analyse your existing dentures. It’s important to remember that dentists do a lot more than check teeth! Every examination appoint includes Oral Cancer screening and evaluation of the head and neck.

When shall I bring my child for his /her first exam?
Register your baby with a dentist as soon as they are born or at least as soon as the first tooth appears. Taking a child to the dentist from a young age helps them get used to the sights, sounds and smells of a dental surgery.

If young children see mummy or daddy having their teeth checked, then they become accustomed to the dental environment and it’s much easier for them to sit independently in the dental chair when they’re a little older.

You will receive instructions and demonstrations on how to brush your child’s teeth alongside advice on healthy foods and drinks. If required, fluoride varnish may also be applied to help protect your Childs’ teeth.

Why does the dentist take X-rays?
Many diseases of the teeth and supporting tissues may not be visible to your dentist during examination.

These include:
Bone loss due to gum (periodontal) disease.
Decay in between teeth or underneath existing fillings.
Infections of the bone.
Cysts and tumours.
Developmental abnormalities.

Detecting these conditions early can save you time, money and discomfort and, in the case of a tumour, it can even save your life.

My gums are bleeding, what shall I do?
This is usually a sign of gum disease (Gingivitis). It is normally caused by bacterial plaque build-up around the teeth which makes the gums very inflamed and hence, they bleed.

Patients often stop brushing an area in which their gums are bleeding, but this is the worst thing you could do as it makes the gums more uncomfortable and the bleeding worse! Treatment for gingivitis is relatively simple, your dentist will reinforce your oral hygiene routine and demonstrate effective twice-daily tooth brushing and regular interdental cleaning. A professional dental clean may also be indicated.

I am pregnant! How can that affect my teeth?
First of all, congratulations! Secondly, NHS dental treatment is free during pregnancy and for one year following the birth of your baby, so book an appointment by calling us on 01236 423 823.

About half of pregnant women develop a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis, which results in uncomfortable, swollen and inflamed bleeding gums. Therefore, it is very important to look after your teeth and gums during pregnancy. We advise you to continue with a good oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice daily with around a 1450 ppm fluoride toothpaste, and flossing to avoid gum inflammation and bleeding.

Drinking alcohol and smoking should be avoided completely as they are linked to cancer and periodontal (gum) disease and can affect your developing baby. There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Your baby can be harmed by alcohol at any stage.

I am undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for my cancer. How can this affect my dental health?
It is very important to see your dentist before commencing treatment and to continue with post-care. The complications of chemo/ radiotherapy vary between individuals and between different tumour sites and can be difficult to predict accurately.

Early complications can include:
Mucositis – inflammation and ulceration of the soft tissues, this can prevent effective oral hygiene
Increased susceptibility to infections
Taste disturbance
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

Late complications can include:
Xerostomia (dry mouth)
Radiation-associated caries
Trismus (limited mouth opening)
Osteoradionecrosis – exposed bone due to poor wound healing

At Main Street Dental Clinic we will do our best to help you through this difficult time and we will strive to ensure that your oral health is preserved.

Do whitening toothpastes work?
‘Whitening’ toothpastes usually contain a mild abrasive to remove surface stains and some contain a minimal amount of peroxide. The amount of time that the toothpaste is in contact with the teeth (the exposure time) is relatively low, and therefore any potential whitening is minimal.

Professionally prescribed whitening products containing up to 6% Hydrogen Peroxide (the maximum concentration allowed under current EU regulations) produce vastly superior results.