Oriel Villas Dental Surgery - Dentist Cheltenham at 1 Oriel Road in Cheltenham, England

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Reviews about Oriel Villas Dental Surgery - Dentist Cheltenham

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  Came here today at 14:30 as I received an email about having a checkup- thought this was strange initially as it was only 2 months ago that I had an appointment here and the dentist I saw- Wockiji said my teeth were perfect. Anyway as my email said "first recall" I thought this meant I'd be written off if I didn't attend. Arrived here on time and waited 15 mins in the waiting area, as new receptionists were chatting away and too busy eating behind the counter to ask me to fill out a form or anything I sat nervously waiting until 14:45 to be called by one of the nurses.. Went upstairs and saw a different dentist from last time, this one today was Ionescu who immediately stated my age instead of the warm, welcoming greeting you'd expect any decent dentist to give to nervous patients, she proceeded to asking me "was my age correct" and that cos I am now this age I "no longer qualify for the free NHS checkup" treatment band. I was utterly shocked at this because I was completely unaware of this catch. As a student here in Cheltenham, I signed up to this practice through a suggestion and I don't pay back in my hometown in Wales as there are different price bands and as I am in full time education at university, I fall into the free bands with the NHS. I still tried telling this to the dentist but she didn't want to listen and said "no, even students pay, it's £20.60 now" she didn't want to hear me out even when I said I had no means of payment on me. I wasn't expecting to be told any of this upfront and bluntly especially as my registration here back in June was free, no hassle etc. I gave up trying to make my point to her and I mentioned how strange it was to receive an email so soon after my last visit- 2 months!! She didn't seem to care and I could tell it was all about pinching money and saw right through the scheme. She didn't stop mentioning my age and tried to push me for payment before I had even sat down properly in the chair. No checkup was done- not that I even needed one anyway as I look after my teeth extremely well. I got up, remained polite and before I left she said "certificate? You can apply for a discount off the £20.60 here" I just left. This money grabbing attitude that dentists now have after you have signed up and registered here which is all about money and quick payment, with a lack of sympathy, has now completely changed my mind about this practice! I think it is absolutely ridiculous to be demanded for payment before you are even sat down to have anything done- whether it be something as simple as a checkup. In my opinion it comes across as very cheeky, unprofessional and sly to be told on the day of your appointment, in the chair of a bill for a 5 minute (cos that's literally the amount of time the NHS dentists spend with you now) checkup. It's now become a scheme to get more money out of people by sending out emails warning of "recalls" when you don't need any treatment done or checkups at all. As I read correctly on a leaflet at my dentists back home, it is every 6-12 months that adults need to go NOT 2 months! Glad I have now seen sense from this and will be leaving this practice sticking with my kind, sympathetic understanding one back home.
  by Maria

  July 28, 2017

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