News
January 2023 - NHS Statement
The end of NHS dental services at Hopton Dental Surgery
January 2023
It is with some considerable sadness and after much soul-searching and heartache that the Hassan family are discontinuing NHS services to patients. Collectively they have given 131 years of service over 3 generations and have always believed in delivering an excellent service to their community. However, a combination of circumstances has led to them no longer being able to offer NHS services.
The NHS is seriously underfunded meaning that small independent businesses can no longer afford to prop up this service. NHS England has become too remote from service providers such that Doctors, Dentists and Nurses no longer want to work for them. There is a huge lack of Doctors and Dentists available to work and we cannot force them to work for the NHS. Most of these professionals working in general practice are self-employed individuals who are free to work wherever they choose.
When Mrs Hassan attempted to renegotiate her NHS contract, NHS England unilaterally and with no discussion reduced the contracted activity. It took them 11 months to make this decision and there was no opportunity to discuss. Having handed in the resignation NHS England have decided that although services will be provided for the next 3 months, they are not going to pay for it.
Many attempts have been made to engage the support of local MPs Hancock, Truss, and Churchill however nothing has been achieved. It is our serious belief that the political agenda has always been to allow NHS Dentistry to wither.
We have introduced a membership scheme for all our patients to help spread the cost of routine checkups and cleans over the year. This allows patients to have regular checkups with their dentist, so that any issues can be identified early, reducing the cost of future complicated and costly treatment.
Patients who have further concerns should approach NHS England PALS, members of the Health and Wellbeing committee in your local council or your local MP.
December 2022 Newsletter
August 2020
COVID-19 Coronavirus update
We are delighted that we are now able to see patients face to face for routine and emergency dental treatment. This has been a very difficult time for everyone, and we are very grateful for your understanding. Please contact the surgery on 01953 688110 at your earliest convenience to make an appointment, especially if you had one cancelled during lockdown.
Only patients with an appointment will be permitted to enter the practice and there will be limited appointments available. Please do not attend the practice without first phoning or booking online through the link in your recall email.
In order to make your visit to us as safe as possible and to protect our staff things will be a little different..
ATTENDING THE PRACTICE
- Your appointment should have already been arranged over the phone and confirmed with a text or email.
- You will be screened for your COVID status before attending the appointment and when you arrive, and this will include having your temperature taken. You will need to complete any forms online prior to your appointments including medical history and contact information. If you don’t have internet access this will be done over the phone or when attending the practice for your appointment.
- It is very important you attend on time for your appointment. You will be required to check in at the window to the left of the main front door. We ask that patients park in the main car park and not the lane. You will be required to wait outside in your car until you are called to the practice. This is to minimise the number of patients in the practice at one time.
- The front door will be locked. A member of staff will come to the front door and meet you. You will be asked to confirm your details and use hand sanitiser before entering the premises.
- You should attend the appointment alone. Exceptions are for children and patients who require a carer or assistance. Please only bring 1 other person to the appointment.
- The patient toilet will not be in use during the appointment, unless in absolute emergencies.
- You will be shown straight into the surgery to see your dentist. Please be aware that they will be wearing more PPE than normal, but we will still be happy to see under all that and probably a bit hot.
- We may get you to use a mouthwash before your treatment begins, provided you have no allergies.
- Treatment will be completed as normal, at this stage without creating an aerosol by using the drill for example.
- Once the treatment is complete, you will be escorted to the complete payment for treatment, at this time we are only able to accept card payment. If the reception window is busy, we ask that you wait in our waiting area respecting social distancing. A member of the team will escort you from the premises. Any subsequent appointments will be made with the dentist in surgery.
What treatment will be provided
During routine checks we will not be providing any aerosol generating procedures at this time, these include anything that requires the use of the drill with water spray or the ultrasonic scaler. If treatment is necessary, we will arrange an alternative appointment time in our Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGP) treatment room. This will involve full PPE and a rigorous cleaning schedule will be in place for this room.
Vulnerable patients
While we hope that we will be able to see everyone who needs us and provide an environment where everyone feels safe to attend there may still be some in vulnerable groups who would put off coming to the dentist for little longer. We are happy to provide all patients with telephone advice. We have priority slots for vulnerable and shielding patients.
If you call the surgery and we are unable to answer your call, please leave a message or email us. As I am sure you can imagine our phone lines are incredibly busy. We will get back to every patient who leaves a message, but it may take longer than normal. Please bear with us and refrain from calling multiple times.
We look forward to seeing you.
With best wishes
The Hopton Dental Surgery Team
September 2019
Position now filled – Job Vacancy – Dental Receptionist – Full or Part time job share considered
An opportunity for a receptionist to join a well-established, expanding NHS and private dental practice in Hopton, near Diss. The role of Dental Receptionist is to work closely with the dental team to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the whole business.
We are looking for a professional front of house receptionist to join the practice. The ideal applicant will have exceptional customer service skills and will ensure that every patient receives excellent patient contact on every occasion. You will be joining our close knit team within our family run practice.
Hours: 35+ hours a week, job share considered
Rate of pay: Dependent on experience
For more information and a job description please contact Laura, the practice manager: [email protected]
Mrs Laura Lane, Practice Manager, Hopton Dental Surgery, Hopton, Diss, Norfolk IP22 2QX
May 2019
Position Now Filled – Job Vaccancy – Dental Nurse – Full or Part time
An exciting opportunity for a Dental Nurse to join a well-established, expanding NHS and private dental practice in Hopton, near Diss. The role of Dental Nurse is to work closely with the dental team to ensure the patient receives a high standard of care.
We are looking for a Dental Nurse to join the practice. The ideal applicant will ideally be a qualified dental nurse, although training may be provided for the right candidate. You will be joining our close-knit team within our family run practice.
Hours: Part time or full time
Rate of pay: Dependent on experience
For more information and a job description please contact Laura, the practice manager:
Mrs Laura Lane, Practice Manager, Hopton Dental Surgery, Hopton, Diss, Norfolk IP22 2QX
August 2018
POSITION NOW FILLED – Job Vaccancy – Part-time Dental Nurse
A fantastic opportunity for a Dental Nurse to join a well-established, expanding NHS and private dental practice in Hopton, near Diss. The role of Dental Nurse is to work closely with the dental team to ensure the patient receives a high standard of care.
We are looking for a Dental Nurse to join the practice. The ideal applicant will ideally be a qualified dental nurse, although training may be provided for the right candidate. You will be joining our close-knit team within our family run practice.
Hours: Part time (2 days a week)
Rate of pay: Dependent on experience
For more information and a job description please contact Laura, the practice manager:
Mrs Laura Lane, Practice Manager, Hopton Dental Surgery, Hopton, Diss, Norfolk IP22 2QX
April 2018 – We are recruiting
POSITION NOW FILLED – Job Vacancy – Dental Receptionist
An opportunity for a receptionist to join a well-established, expanding NHS and private dental practice in Hopton, near Diss. The role of Dental Receptionist is to work closely with the dental team to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the whole business.
We are looking for a professional front of house receptionist to join the practice. The ideal applicant will have exceptional customer service skills and will ensure that every patient receives excellent patient contact on every occasion. You will be joining our close knit team within our family run practice.
Hours: 35+ hours a week. Rate of pay: Dependent on experience
For more information and a job description please contact Laura, the practice manager: Mrs Laura Lane, Practice Manager, Hopton Dental Surgery, Hopton, Diss, Norfolk IP22 2QX
November 2017
New Dental Associate
We are pleased to announce that Dr Stephen Manson has recently joined the team as a dental associate. Steve has worked in practices in Stowmarket, Felixstowe and Essex and has quickly become an important member of the team and is becoming very well known due to his gentle and professional manner.
July 2016
New Dental Hygienist
We are pleased to announce that Dental Hygienist, Gemma Ralfe has joined our team. Gemma runs a hygienist clinic on a Thursday. To book in for a scale and polish please contact the surgery.
January 2016
There are a few changes happening at Hopton Dental Surgery:
We are now offering patients a new alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment. For more information on Invisalign teeth straightening please ask any of our team.
We are very pleased to announce that our second surgery within the practice building is now up and running.
We are delighted to welcome Dr Alexandra Jeffreys to our team. Alex works on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in our new second surgery.
Tracey Ramsavas has left our team at the end of January 2016 to work nearer her family in Peterborough.