At Smiles Dental Care, we pride ourselves on the high quality of care we provide our patients. Our aim is to look after you as we wish to be looked after ourselves.
However, if you have any concerns or comments regarding your dental care, we will address these as a matter of priority.
We welcome all feedback, both positive and negative, regarding all feedback as an opportunity to learn and improve our service in the future. We will not react unnecessarily defensively, and your confidentiality and access to our services will be protected.
A complaint may be made to either the practice (as the provider of the service) or NHS England (as the commissioner of the service).
If you wish to complain to the practice, you can do so directly to your dentist or any member of the Smiles Dental Care team, either verbally or in writing. Please contact the practice on the below details, should you wish to make a complaint.
Smiles Dental Care
14 Ballymoney Rd
Ballymena
Northern Ireland
BT43 6DY
tel:028 2565 5060
email: reception.smilesdentalcare@portmanhealthcare.co.uk
Should you wish to raise a complaint directly with NHS England then they can be contacted at:
NHS England (for complaints concerning NHS dental care only)
PO Box 16738
Redditch
B97 9PT
tel: 0300 311 22 33
email: england.contactus@nhs.net
NB. If a complaint is first raised with the practice then it cannot be investigated by NHS England. Conversely, a complaint first raised through NHS England cannot then be made subsequently to the practice.
If you wish to make a complaint about care received privately then this can be made verbally, or in writing, to any member of the practice team. Please contact the practice on the below details, should you wish to make a complaint.
Smiles Dental Care
14 Ballymoney Rd
Ballymena
Northern Ireland
BT43 6DY
tel:028 2565 5060
email: reception.smilesdentalcare@portmanhealthcare.co.uk
If you wish to complain about the service received in relation to your Denplan plan, their Patient Support team can be contacted and will aim to resolve your complaint within 10 working days.
They can be contacted on 0800 401 402, between 8.30am and 5.30pm Mondays to Thursdays, or 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays
Alternatively, they can be contacted be post or email at:
The Head of Customer Services
Denplan Limited
Simplyhealth House
Victoria Road
Winchester
SO23 7RG
email: customerrelations@denplan.co.uk.
A verbal complaint made to a member of the practice team will be immediately logged and we will try and resolve your concerns at that time. If appropriate, the Practice Manager, will be able to discuss your complaint to try and resolve the situation for you.
As all of our dentists operate as independent practitioners, any complaint concerning clinical care will be immediately passed to your treating dentist. Regarding a verbal complaint over your care, the treating dentist should be available to discuss and resolve your concerns.
You can make a complaint in writing to Smiles Dental Care, for attention of the Practice Manager or the dentist, and it will be handled as outlined below.
If we anticipate any delays in providing a full response, you will be notified and kept updated every 10 working days of the progress of your complaint.
If you’re not happy with how your complaint has been handled, then please get in touch with our Complaints Manager, Dr. Laura Hunter, who can be contacted at:
Laura Hunter
Portman Healthcare
6 Pittville Lawn
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 2BD
email: laura.hunter@portmanhealthcare.co.uk
If your care was provided within the NHS, and you are not happy with the outcome of your complaint, you may contact the Parliamentary Health and Service Ombudsman at:
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Millbank Tower
Millbank
London
SW1P 4QP
tel: 0345 015 4033
email: england.contactus@nhs.net
If your care was provided privately, and you are not happy with the outcome of your complaint, you may contact the Dental Complaints Service at:
Dental Complaints Service
37 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8DQ
tel: 020 8253 0800
email: info@dentalcomplaints.org.uk
N.B:
A complaint needs to be raised with the Dental Complaints Service within 12 months of the issue either taking place, or becoming known to yourself.
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