This policy was updated and implemented on 17/02/2026.

At Horsforth Dental, we want to ensure that all our patients are pleased with their experience of our service. We take complaints very seriously indeed. If a patient makes a complaint, we will deal with the matter courteously and promptly so that it is resolved as quickly as possible. Our complaints policy and procedures are based on these objectives.

We display the General Dental Council’s 6 core principles for ensuring that we get the most from patient feedback and complaints for the benefit of all in our main reception.

At Horsforth Dental, we have an effective complaints system in place to ensure that identifying, receiving, recording, handling and responding to any comments, observations, concerns or complaints occurs within a strict timetable that is clearly documented. Our Code of Practice for patients who wish to raise concerns is displayed in our main reception and all patients and visitors should feel confident that they will be listened to and responded to without fear of discrimination or recrimination. Our Complaints Policy and Procedures are available in our main reception waiting area, displayed at the reception desk.

We aim to ensure that any complainant is treated sensitively and in a manner that respects their human rights and diversity.

We recognise that a complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction with our service, treatment or advice and that a complaint can be made by a variety of methods, including verbally, by sign language or in writing.

In situations where a patient may lack confidence to express their views, or require help to do so, they will be supported by helpful team members. All patients’ complaints are fully documented and investigated and are dealt with fairly.

At Horsforth Dental we view complaints as an opportunity to improve our service delivery and to learn lessons that will help us make changes with the intention of avoiding a repetition of any similar complaint.

To help us learn lessons from complaints, we track and analyse all our complaints to identify trends that will help us improve our service.

Our complaints procedures are monitored and reviewed regularly and the named contact who is accountable for doing this is Natalie Bedford.

In Horsforth Dental we place great emphasis on meeting and whenever possible, exceeding our patients’ expectations.  We try to ensure that all patients are pleased with their experience of our service and we take any concerns a patient may have very seriously.

If you have a concern regarding any aspect of your care, please let us know.  We will do all that we can to resolve your concern to your satisfaction promptly and professionally.

Our aim is to respond to your concerns in a caring and sensitive way.

The person responsible for dealing with any concerns about the service we provide in this practice is Natalie Bedford (Practice Manager).

If you raise an issue you are concerned or unhappy about on the telephone or at the reception desk, after listening to a description of the problem the person with whom you raise your concern will try to resolve the issue to your satisfaction immediately.

If the person with whom you raise your concern is unable to resolve the issue for any reason, we will contact Natalie Bedford immediately.  Should Natalie be unavailable at the time, we will advise you when they will be available, and arrangements will be made for you to meet or speak with her.

If for any reason Natalie Bedford is going to be unable to meet you or speak with you at a time that is convenient to you, we will arrange for Sam Bedford to take responsibility for dealing with your concern or complaint.

The team member with whom you first raised your concern will take brief details from you and pass these to Natalie Bedford (or Sam Bedford) so that they can familiarise themselves with your concern prior to meeting you or speaking with you.

If you choose to write to us to express your concern rather than raising it verbally, your letter or email will be passed on to the relevant person immediately.

We will acknowledge any concerns you raise in writing within three days and we will also include a copy of this Code of Practice with our response.  We will investigate your concern and report back within ten working days of it being received.  If we are unable to complete our investigations within ten working days for any reason, we will notify you, giving reasons for the delay and the likely period within which the investigation will be completed.

We will confirm the outcome of the investigation and any decisions made in writing.

We will keep proper and comprehensive records of any concerns or complaints received.

We will do all we can to resolve your issue, concern or complaint to your satisfaction. If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with the outcome or the procedure, we will advise you of other avenues open to you for raising concerns. These are:

For complaints about NHS treatment:

West Yorkshire Local Integrated Care Board (ICB)

http://www.westyorkshire.icb.nhs.uk

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) for NHS patients in England

Phone: 0345 015 4033
Or use their online form: https://ombudsman.achieveservice.com/module/home

The Dental Complaints Service

For complaints about private treatment.

Address: 37 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8DQ
Phone: 0208 253 0800
Email: info@dentalcomplaints.org.uk

The General Dental Council (GDC)

(the clinicians’ professional regulator).

Address: 37 Wimpole Street, London, W1M 8DQ
Phone: 0207 167 6000
Email: standards@gdc-uk.org

The Care Quality Commission

(the regulator for all of health and social care).

Address: Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE14PA
Phone: 03000 616161
Email: enquires@cqc.org.uk