www.balhamlodgepractice.co.uk

Hello, and welcome to the Balham Lodge Dental Practice Website.

Here you will find:-

The names of our current Dental Team
The languages we speak
A description of our practice
A list of the treatments we can provide for you
Samples of fees
A few thoughts about how our practice differs from others
How to make appointments and cancellations
Opening hours and emergency appointments
How to find us
Details of a special offer to new patients

**STOP-PRESS**
TEETH WHITENING. SPECIAL OFFER. For a limited period, we have reduced the cost of this cosmetic treatment from £480 down to £295 for the In-Surgery power-whitening, whilst for difficult cases requiring the Combination Treatment (in-surgery whitening, whitening trays and a supply of Home Whitening gel), the price is £395. Home Whitening alone is £195. These are the best prices we have ever offered and are dependant on the current supplies, so if you are interested in obtaining a big improvement in your dental appearance in a very easy and comfortable way, now would be a good time to call us! Your teeth will be up to 12 shades lighter! We take before and after pictures of everyone - come and see!

NHS Treatment. We have retained our contract and at the moment, we are still able to offer a limited number of NHS courses to children and adults who are exempt from paying NHS charges.

Mouth Cancer Awareness. This is the fastest-growing cancer in the U.K., killing one person every 5 hours! Even if you are not a patient of this practice, please call to arrange a free cancer check. We will examine you, carry out a simple and completely painless test if appropriate, and if necessary arrange for specialist assessment. We will also give you advice on reducing your chance of contracting this condition which can affect people of all ages.

Invisalign. This is a revolutionary method of staightening crooked teeth using a series of thin plastic aligners, which look a bit like mouthguards. They can be removed by the patient for eating and cleaning!

We are carrying out selected fillings using an air-abrasion system which requires no drilling and no anaesthetic.

We also now have a marvellous anti-snoring device which is effective in over 90% of users.


The Team
The principal dentist is Dr. Russell St Claire B.D.S. (General Dental Council Registration Number 46709), who graduated from Kings College Hospital in 1972. His special interests include comprehensive diagnosis, oral health topics and patient education. Our current associate postgraduate dentists are Dr. Asia Al-Ahmar B.D.S. (G.D.C. No. 77090), who graduated from London University and Dr. Tanu Singh BDS MFGDP RCS Eng. (GDC No. 83535) who graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2004. Tanu's particular interests are endodontics and aesthetic procedures, whilst Asia concentrates on advanced restoration and oral surgery. Our oral hygiene treatments are provided by Mats Broman (G.D.C. No. 74154) who qualified in Stockholm in 1981, and Sophia Pardhan EDH. Our practice administrator is Renate, our receptionist is Anna and our nurses are Patricia, and Michelle. Between us, we can speak English, German, French, Swedish, Maltese, Arabic, signing for patients with hearing disability (and a few more with a bit of a struggle).

Balham Lodge Practice
This is one of the oldest professional businesses in Balham, having existed for over a century, (not with the same owner!) - Russell St. Claire having taken it over in 1983! We are now in modern, purpose - designed premises at 229 Balham High Road, near the junction with Ritherdon Road. The practice has a fresh, light, minimalist decor - a bit like an art gallery and so it does not feel like a clinic. There are no adverts for toothpaste all over the walls, and there are actually magazines from this millenium to read in the waiting room! You can also watch T.V., or switch it off if you want!

Treatment available.
Balham Lodge Practice aims to provide a full service for patients of all ages using the latest techniques and materials. Regular check-ups can help ensure healthy teeth and gums for life. Over the years we have refined the way in which we look after our patients to remove the old worries that used to prevent regular attendance, for example;


Painless treatment. Our filling techniques often need no injections or drilling!
Effective anaesthesia. If needed, we use local anaesthesia twice as strong as commonly used.
Quiet treatment. We have ultra-quiet “whispering drills”.
Good value. Many of our prices are below those of other local practices. Call around to check!
Preventive dentistry. Including fissure sealants, to reduce the chances of problems arising in the first place.
Children’s dentistry, including orthodontics.
Cosmetic treatment. White fillings, inlays, crowns and veneers to upgrade your smile.
Tooth whitening. We can lighten the colour of all of your teeth.
Nervous Patient Programme. We can also arrange intravenous sedation if required.
Still nervous? How about “Virtual Vision”? - a 3-D, stereo audio-visual headset to transport you to a world of your own!
Fresh Breath Clinic. Using special equipment, we can simply and accurately assess whether you have a problem, and if necessary, provide the solution.
Sterilisation. We use many disposable items, and we have the latest sterilisation equipment.
Scanning x-rays. We routinely check to find any developing problems at an early stage.
Cancer screening. Where appropriate, we use simple painless tests at the chairside to ensure anyone with a problem is treated swiftly.
Removal of amalgam fillings for those preferring no mercury-containing restorations.
Mouthguards. To reduce sporting injuries.
Wheelchair access for disabled patients, and hearing loop available for those with hearing disabilities. Please let us know if you require any particular assistance.

The cost of treatment
Our prices compare very favourably with most other practices, and by checking these sample prices against those of other practices, you will see that first class treatment does not always cost a large amount of money.

Examination £31.00-£36.00
Two x-rays £30.00
Scaling and polishing £35.00
Scaling and polishing with the hygienist (extended session) £46.00
Small amalgam filling £40.00
Small white filling £42.00
Cosmetic white fillings £53.00 to £79.00
White 'bonded' crown £315.00
Bridges £325.00 per unit
Dentures from £220.00

Fees are payable by cash, cheque (with guarantee card) debit and credit cards subject to a charge to cover the cost of collection. The agreed fees or a deposit are paid on the first visit, and where laboratory work is involved, payment is made before the work is sent to the technicians.

We also have our own 'Dental Care Plan' which is a remarkably economical scheme where in return for a small monthly payment, treatment is provided to the highest possible private standard, without further cost. That means, the best materials and laboratories, and a priority appointment booking system.

The Difference
We all know there is no shortage of good Dental Surgeons, so what is it that makes Balham Lodge Dental Practice so popular? Why do our patients constantly recommend friends, and return time and time again over the years, even after moving away from the area? We have people coming back from as far afield as Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia just to have their treatment here!

We think it is a combination of good value and - more importantly, the way that we treat patients as people and not just mouths to be worked on. From time to time we carry out surveys and we have analysed the reasons why 50% of the population never visit the dentist unless they have absolutely no choice! We have found a combination of many factors, even the smells, sounds and internal appearance of the average dental surgery are perceived as threatening. So we have dealt with all of these worries in turn, covering factors like the way we discuss your treatment as we are doing it so that you fully understand what's going on - right down to how we dress! All designed to make you feel comfortable, at home and in control.

Give us a call, or drop in and visit the Practice. We think you'll be glad that you did!

Appointments
Appointments are made over the phone (020 8672 1774), or by visiting the practice. Emergency appointments are available every day, and there is an out of hours service for patients already registered with the practice. We must have at least 24 hours cancellation notice for booked appointments.

Opening hours
Balham Lodge Dental Practice is open from Monday to Friday 09.00hrs to 17.00hrs, and Saturday mornings from 09.00hrs to 13.00hrs. We also see patients on Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Location
Balham Lodge Dental Practice is situated at 229 Balham High Road, near to Argos. The nearest underground station is Tooting Bec, British Rail is at Balham Station, and buses 155, 249 and 355
all stop nearby.

An Offer
We should be delighted to see you as a patient, and to encourage you to come and visit us, on your first appointment, we will present you with a Travelling Dental Care kit - ideal for looking after your mouth when at work or any trips away from home.

Thankyou for visiting our website. We hope to see you at Balham Lodge Practice soon.

Link: http://www.gdc-uk.org