Learn more about Dental Treatment
RESTORATIONS
CLEAN TEETH
ROOT CANAL
CROWNS
INLAYS/ONLAYS
EXTRACTIONS
Direct Access
With effect from 1 May 2013, Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists are permitted to treat patients without a prior examination by a dentist.
For new patients to the practice who just want to see the Dental hygienist, the patient will be required to fill in an up to date medical history and a consent form for treatment. The patient will have a regular hygienist appointment and the standard fee will be payable at the end of the appointment.
For patients who regularly see our dentists it is no longer necessary to have a prescription from the dentist before having a hygienist appointment.
Please be aware of the following important notes regarding direct access to the Dental Hygienist:
They must work within the extent of their training and must not undertake duties for which they have not been trained
If a hygienist identifies an issue whilst performing their duties, they may recommend a referral to a dentist. You should bear in mind that hygienists and therapists don not have the same training as dentists and a trip to the hygienist does not remove the need for periodic examinations by a dentist
Teeth whitening as the law requires a dentist to perform the first application of gel)
Prescribing of x-rays, they may be allowed to take x-rays but only under the prescription of a dentist
Injection of botox
The application of topical fluoride – this can be completed under the prescription of a dentist
FAQ
What can you expect from us?
We will listen to your dental problems and try to give you an explanation and solution to those needs. This may include a referral to another Dentist.
We will follow the latest cross-infection guidelines. Your safety is our primary concern.
We will keep you informed of the latest techniques and use the best materials available.
We will give you a written estimate detailing any treatment costs.
We will do all we can to keep to time because we know everyone hates to be kept waiting.
What do we expect from you?
To attend your appointments promptly, and if you are unable to do this to let us know as soon as possible (at least 24 hours before your appointment).
To pay for treatment at the end of each visit as requested.
To look after the work that we provide for you with the techniques that we will teach you.
If you are happy with our visits then please recommend us to anyone you feel would like the services we offer. Our practice grows by recommendations.
How do I book an appointment?
Simply telephone us on 02476466793, or call in to see us.
Are you taking on new patients?
Yes – we are always happy to see new patients. Many of our new patients are referred to us by our existing ones – if you have been referred by one of our patients, please do let us know so we can thank them.
Can we register at the practice on the NHS?
There is no longer any registration on the NHS. We do see NHS patients for courses of treatment. Please note there maybe a waiting list for NHS patients. Alternatively, you may wish to register on a private basis, or opt for private treatment options.
What should I do in an emergency?
Please telephone the practice as early as possible in the working day*. If it is out of hours, please telephone 111. If the practice is closed, there will be a message on our answer machine telling you who to contact during normal working hours.
*For our regular patients (i.e. those who have been attending our practice regularly as recommended by the Dentist over the last 24 months) we will endeavour to see you within 24 hours for your emergency appointment. For irregular attenders or new patients to the practice, unfortunately you maybe required to wait longer for the next available appointment for your emergency.
How do I cancel my appointment?
If you are not able to keep your appointment we require at least 24 hours notice for cancellations. Should you fail to attend or cancel with less than 24 hours notice on more than one occasion we reserve the right to refuse further treatment at the practice.
Can I park at the practice?
There is on-street parking available on Mayors Croft. For a local map see our contact us page.
Why do treatment plans sometimes vary from one dentist to another?
Variations in prescribing patterns between dentists do occur and are quite common. When examining teeth, dentists go through three steps. They consider first ‘is there anything wrong with the tooth?’- if so ‘does it need treatment?’ and finally, if it does, ‘what treatment is necessary?’. They will then discuss the treatment options with the patient.
There is little disagreement among dentists as to whether there is anything wrong with a tooth. Dental decay is a very slowly progressive disease, and therefore the question of whether a problem requires treatment could reasonably be ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘not yet’. If a patient is a regular attender and has seen the same dentist within the previous year, it may well be in the patient’s interests to keep a minor problem under observation. On the other hand it might be better for a patient who attends occasionally, or who is attending for the first time, to have all the problems dealt with.
If treatment is needed, there are a wide range of options. The most appropriate treatment is a matter of judgement by the dentist and may depend on the patient’s attention to oral hygiene and the likely cost to the patient. Some dentists adopt a more cautious approach and only recommend a complex treatment if a more simple procedure has failed. In making these decisions, dentists are influenced by the wishes of the patient.
A dentist’s advice about treatment will depend on a number of factors – whether the patient has been seen before, the dentist’s understanding of a particular problem that the patient might have (for example, a cavity which has been present for some time but is not progressing), the patient’s oral hygiene (which might make certain advanced forms of treatment less feasible), the patient’s timescale (a patient might be looking for a major overhaul or for simple maintenance) and so on.
For every dental problem there is a decision to be made about whether to treat or not, and if treatment is decided on, the type of treatment to be given. The decision must always be the patient’s, however. All treatment must have the patient’s informed consent. If you are concerned about a dentist’s treatment proposal, ask questions – ask to be shown the problem in a mirror, or with a diagram. The dentist does not have to carry out any procedures they deem are not appropriate for you.
We strive to deliver the highest quality of treatment and care to all our patients. If you feel we have not achieved this, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Malhi at the above practice contact details.To view our complaints procedure, please click here.
Privacy Policy for Canley Dental Surgery for Patient Data
Canley Dental Surgery takes great care to protect the personal data we hold for our patients in line with the
requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 which is the UK’s implementation of the General Data Protection
Regulation (UK GDPR).
The purpose of collecting and storing personal data about our patients is to ensure we
can:
Provide, appropriate, safe and effective dental care, treatment and advice for all our patients.
Fulfil any contracts we hold in relation to their care.
For business administration of their care.
Personal data held for our patients
The personal data we process (processing includes obtaining the information, using it, storing it, securing it,
disclosing it, and destroying it) for our patients includes: Name, address, date of birth. Unique identification number. Next of kin. Email address. Phone numbers. GP contact details. Occupation.Medical history. Dental care records. Photographs. Family group. Payment plan details. Financial information. Credit cards receipts. Correspondence. Details of any complaints received.
We keep an inventory of personal data we hold on our patients and this is available for patients on request. A list of
personal information held is also included in our Privacy Notice that is given to all patients.
National Opt-out Policy
At Canley Dental Surgery sensitive personal information relating to our patients is only used to provide dental care for
the individual. It is never shared for research purposes or any non-clinical need. The National Opt-out Policy
introduced in March 2020 is therefore not operated at our practice on this basis.
Should we change our policy to use information for a non-clinical purpose or a research project, we would then introduce the National Opt-out policy.
Disclosure to third parties
The information we collect and store will not be disclosed to anyone who does not need to see it.
We will share our patients’ personal information with third parties when required by law or to enable us to deliver a
service to them or where we have another legitimate reason for doing so. Third parties we may share patients’
personal information with may include:
Regulatory authorities such as the General Dental Council or the Care Quality Commission / Healthcare
Inspectorate Wales.
NHS Local Authorities
Dental payment plan administrators
Insurance companies
Loss assessors
Fraud prevention agencies
In the event of a possible sale of the practice at some time in the future.
We may also share personal information where we consider it to be in a patient’s best interest or if we have reason to
believe an individual may be at risk of harm or abuse.
Personal privacy rights
Under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, all individuals who have personal information held about them
have the following personal privacy rights:
Right to subject access.
Right to have inaccuracies deleted.
Right to have information erased.
Right to object to direct marketing.
Right to restrict the processing of their information, including automated decision-making.
Right to data portability.
Patients who wish to have inaccuracies deleted or to have information erased must speak to the dentist who provided
or provides their care.
Legal basis for processing data held about patients
The UK GDPR requires us to state the legal basis upon which we process all personal data for our patients and it
requires us to inform our patients of the legal basis on which we process their personal data. This is clearly stated in
our privacy notice that is given to all patients.
The legal bases for recording individual types of data are recorded in our patient personal data inventory. This is
available for all patients to see on request.
The legal basis on which we process personal information for our private patients is ‘legal obligation’.
The legal basis on which we process personal information for our payment plan patients is ‘contract’.
The legal basis on which we process personal information for our NHS patients is ‘legal obligation’.
Automated decision making
All individuals who have personal data held about them have a right to object to their personal data being subjected
to automated decision making.
Patients will always be asked to give specific, informed, verifiable, opt in consent for any processes involving
automated decision making.
Consent
Canley Dental Surgery always obtains specific, unambiguous opt in consent from all patients to whom we send direct
marketing information.
Where patients have not previously consented to or have withdrawn their consent for us to contact or share or
process their data, we will assess whether the need for processing is proportionate and necessary in relation to the
risk to the individual and/or the public if the information is not shared.
Withdrawal of consent
Patients who have given their opt in consent have a right to withdraw their consent at any time. Patients are advised
of their right to withdraw their consent for anything they wish to withdraw from in our privacy notice.
Retention period
This practice retains dental records and orthodontic study models while the patient is a patient of the practice and,
after they cease to be a patient, for at least eleven years, or for children until age 25, whichever is the longer.
Complaints
All individuals who have personal data held about them have a right to complain. All complaints concerning personal
data should be made in person or in writing to Dr N Malhi. All complaints will be dealt with in line with the practice
complaints policy and procedures.
If you are unhappy with the resolution of your complaint, you have the right to raise your complaint with the
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The ICO can be contacted at https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or call the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113.
Further information on making a complaint to the ICO can be found here: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/data
protection-complaints/data-protection-complaints
Transferring personal data outside the EU
Patients’ personal data is not transferred outside the EU.
This Policy was reviewed and implemented on 22/05/2026
This policy and relevant procedures will be reviewed annually and are due for review on 22/05/2027 or prior to this
date in accordance with new guidance or legislative change