Winter has arrived with a vengeance with plummeting temperatures, frost and even snow on the horizon. It was bound to happen, wasn’t it, after such a mild November.
It’s hard to believe that just 12 months ago we were having to deal with the arrival of the new variant of the Covid virus, Omicron. Now, after the heroic efforts of our scientists, vaccine manufacturers, the NHS for distributing the vaccines and providing the testing and vaccination centres we have arrived at a point where our lives are almost back to pre Covid days. The virus hasn’t gone, but it now mostly causes mild symptoms to most of those who become infected and not the lethal effects as we saw during the early days of the pandemic.
Looking back, it was in February that we here at Cornerways began relaxing our Covid protocols. We are now at the point where our procedures are at near the pre Covid period. We no longer insist on patients wearing a mask in to the practice and, hand sanitisation is voluntary. The infection control levy has been completely abolished. We do ask though, that patients should please update their forms when they receive their appointment reminders either by text or e mail. This includes the very important health screening and medical history. We do ask that if you have tested positive for Covid, or if you’re not feeling well please let us know and we can always re schedule your appointments. On this point, please do not attend if you have active cold sores. If these viruses are spread around, they can cause several unpleasant infections. Due to the very nature of what we do here at Cornerways, we feel that we still need to keep our patients’ and our own safety as a priority.
Equipment Update
We have just taken delivery of a 3Shape Trios 3 intraoral scanner. This will allow us to digitally take impressions of certain cases for crowns, bridges, whitening trays, splints, implants, Invisalign and even dentures. The system promises greater accuracy of our restorations due to some very ingenious software. Also, it will allow us to now effectively treat those patients who are not able to tolerate conventional impressions.
We will be implementing this scanner probably in the new year once we have undergone the necessary training.
Our CBCT scanner which we installed in February has been providing us with invaluable images in particular with regard to implant planning.
Fee Increase
It was inevitable that with energy prices soaring, the cost of our supplies soaring, due in part to global factors and the war in Ukraine, we are having to increase our fees in order to remain viable and continue to provide the high level of service to our patients.
As an example, a check up will increase to £70.00, a pair of bitewing X rays will increase to £35.00 and a routine hygienist appointment will increase to £70.00 for an approximately half hour appointment.
Direct access hygienist appointments will now be £75.00.
Children’s fees remain unchanged.
For those patients who are on the Cornerways Dental Plan, your monthly fees will now be:
Standard plan: £26.25
Plan+: £36.75
Plan H+: £40.10
Children: £3.95
Remember, we still offer families with children under the age of 18 the family discount of 5% off their total monthly direct debit.
Cornerways will honour treatment plans issued in 2022. These will still be valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
These increases will come into effect on 1 January 2023. Plan patients will see the increase to their monthly subscriptions starting 1 February 2023
Failed appointments
Our very clever, practice management system, automatically sends reminders out for upcoming appointments via e mail 4 days before and via text 2 days before our patients’ scheduled appointments. However, a few patients still fail to attend. If you haven’t cancelled your appointment at least 48 hours before and fail to arrive, we may charge you for the failed appointment, depending on the reason for missing the appointment. Those patients who are on our Cornerways Dental Plan will have to forfeit that appointment until the next one is due, or else pay for a replacement appointment. Because we’re currently experiencing an increased work load, it is unfair on the operators to lose out on their income if someone fails and also it is unfair on other patients who could have had the appointment instead.
Cornerways team news
Laura, who was a dental nurse here at Cornerways for several years, has decided to move to Scotland and explore new pastures. All reports are that she is doing well and enjoying the challenge of living away from home. We wish her every success in her new venture.
We welcomed a new member of staff, Nicky Hodson, in November. Nicky is an extremely experienced dental nurse and has worked in the area for many years.
Mary-Lou is taking an extended break early in the new year and off to see the world. Those of you who were expecting to see her in early 2023 will see either Suzanne or our locum hygienist who will be covering for her.
On the 7 February 2023, Marco will be in attendance all day seeing his own as well as Brian’s patients. If you’re booked in on that day and if you’d prefer to see Brian please give us a call and we can re schedule your appointment for you.
Our grateful thanks must go to all our team members, dentists, hygienists and nurses for their hard work and dedication, particularly through some really difficult times. We really do appreciate the fact that we have the best team in the country!
Personal
Our daughter, Danielle, has just completed her stint at HSBC. She recently appeared on the Chanel 4 program,” Aldi’s Next Big Thing”, promoting her range of Chinese sauces. Although she didn’t win her section, the exposure she received was invaluable. You may like to try her range of sauces, please visit https://happyeatinghouse.co.uk/
Our son, Jason, and his fiancé, Rosie, are scheduled to tie the knot in Cape Town, on 24 February 2023. He now has the title of Senior Orthopaedic Physiotherapist at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
We’d like to wish you and your families a festive and happy Christmas.
Thank you for your continued support.
Regards,
Brian and Jenny Hong