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What is Good Oral Hygiene?

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means:

. Your teeth are clean and free of debris

. Gums are firmly held against teeth and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss

. Bad breath is not a constant problem

If your gums start to hurt or bleed while brushing or flossing, or you are experiencing persistent bad breath, see your dentist. Any of these conditions may indicate a problem.

Freedom of Information Act


Guide to the Information Published by Harpers Dental Practice

This is a guide of the information routinely made available to the public at Harpers Dental Practice, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, 2002. The guide will be reviewed at regular intervals and be monitored for its effectiveness.

All of the information is downloadable from the practice website at www.harpersdentalpractice.org.uk or available in hardcopy from the practice.

Your right to information
As well as our published information, present and former patients of the practice have the right to access the personal information that we hold about them in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Details of how to do this is contained in the Practice Data Protection Policy which is available from David Harper.

Classes of information
We hold various types of information which we review, retain or dispose of according to NHS guidelines. Our information is organised into seven categories:

1. Who we are
2. Our services
3. Financial information
4. Information for patients and the public		 5. Complaints
6. Our policies and procedures
7. This guide

Class 1: Who we are
Mr. David Michael Harper B.D.S – Full Time Dentist
Graduated Sheffield, 1986

Mr. Riaz Adam Mitha B.D.S. – Full Time Dentist
Graduated Manchester, 2003

Mrs. Katherine Emma Grey B.D.S. – Part Time Dentist
Graduated Sheffield, 1986

Mr. Kishore Mohan Shanbhag F.D.S., R.C.S. – Visiting Oral Surgeon
Graduated Edinburgh, 1999

Class 2: Our services
Information about our services includes:

• Opening times
• Arrangements for emergency care
• Details of access to the premises for people with disabilities
• Sedation for anxious patients
• Treatments available

Class 3: Financial information
We have information about:

• The cost of NHS treatment
• Entitlement to exemption and remission from NHS dental charges
• Our private practice charges

Our income from the NHS is a fixed value with an annual target, which must be met by the practice. The measurement used is the Unit of Dental Activity (UDA), which is reflected in the NHS Price Banding Structure.

Class 4: Information for patients and the public
Information leaflets are available from the practice regarding:

• Types of dental treatment
• Diet
• Oral health		 • Dental anxiety
• Other health information

Class 5: Complaints
Harpers Dental Practice operates a practice based complaints procedure, a copy of which is available from Adele Guest, Practice/Complaints Manager.

Class 6: Practice policies
Harpers Dental Practice has policies and procedures in place which ensure that the practice operates in a safe and efficient manner. These include:

• Data protection
• Confidentiality
• Health and Safety		 • Radiation protection
• Infection control
• Equal opportunities

Copies of the policies are available from Adele Guest, Practice Manager.

Class 7: This guide
This guide will be reviewed regularly. Further information on the Freedom of Information Act, 2002 is available from the following website:

http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/