our frequently asked questions.

find out the answers to our most asked questions, or ask us a question below.

About Us

our most asked questions.

visiting a dental hygienist or therapist regularly is essential to achieve optimal dental wellness. They can help you prevent dental problems such as gum disease and dental decay. Your hygienist or therapist will tailor your appointment and treatment to best meet the needs of your mouth.

dental hygienists and therapists are trained to carry out the following:

  • clinical examinations within scope of practice and competence.
  • oral Cancer Screening
  • complete Periodontal charting, using indices to screen and monitor periodontal diseases
  • diagnosis and treatment planning within competence.
  • recommend radiographs (if trained), interpret and report on radiographs.
  • alternatively, a patient may be referred for radiographs.
  • oral Hygiene advice
  • dietary advice
  • smoking Cessation
  • plan delivery of care
  • no dentist, no drill!

in 2013 the General Dental Council (GDC)  removed its barrier to Direct Access for some dental care professionals after considering the impact on patient safety. Before then, every member of the dental team had to work on the prescription of a dentist. This meant that patients had to be seen by a dentist before being treated by any member of the dental team.

direct access offers greater flexibility and choice for patients, whether you are an existing or new well:o patient. Any dental care professional offering direct access services will be GDC-registered.

a dental care professional is able to offer dental treatment within their scope of practice. You can find more about what a dental care professional can provide here.

sometimes a dental hygienist or therapist will need to refer a patient to a dentist. This will all be explained during your appointment and we will make sure we have your consent to refer.

dental hygienists and therapists are trained to provide a comfortable and supportive environment during dental visits, which can help alleviate dental anxiety and make each experience more positive. Hygienists understand that anxiety is common and can get in the way of receiving the necessary dental care. Hygienists take time to listen to patients’ concerns, answer questions, and build a trusting relationship. By establishing a rapport, dental hygienists can help patients feel more at ease and comfortable during their appointments. It is important to communicate your dental anxiety with your hygienist, so that they can tailor their approach to your specific needs.

we offer a self-check in feature. We will send you a message via SMS or an email containing a link which you can use to check in and notify us of your arrival. You can do this 30 minutes before arrival. If you wish to check in at the clinic we can do this for you on the portal at reception.

the first dental hygiene appointment focusses on assessing your oral health, providing preventive care, and giving you some pointers on how to maintain good oral hygiene habits.

during your first appointment, several things typically happen:

  1. introduction, medical history and consent
  2. oral Examination – A thorough examination of your mouth, teeth, and gums
  3. intra oral photographs – before and after pictures/ any areas of concern
  4. x-rays. We will normally request, with your consent, your digital x-rays from your dental practice. If you are not registered with a dentist, we will refer you to one of our recommended practices in Cambridge for x-rays First, we’ll ask you to complete a consent form
  5. treatment planning – your hygienist will determine how many sessions you’ll need, depending on their assessment of your gum health
  6. oral hygiene advice and education
  7. dental Cleaning – using our Air Polishing technology with Airflow™️
  8. fluoride treatment, tailored to each individual patient

dental insurance policies can cover routine hygiene treatment. We do accept patients with dental insurance.

patients normally pay for their treatment and then claim back through their dental insurer. Please check your plan to make sure you are covered.

we don’t provide emergency appointments or out of hours appointments for dental pain. Please contact your registered dentist or Call NHS 111 who will provide you with an out of hours dental service near you.

gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common oral health condition that affects the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It is caused by the build-up of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, on the teeth and along the gumline. If not properly removed through regular brushing and flossing, plaque can harden into tartar (calculus), leading to inflammation and infection of the gums. The early sign of gum disease is called gingivitis, which is characterised by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, where the infection spreads deeper into the gums and can cause tooth loss. Regular dental check-ups, thorough oral hygiene care and professional hygiene treatment are essential in preventing and treating gum disease.

before your appointment, it is important we have your up-to-date personal and medical information. You will be sent medical history forms to complete online.

when you’e heading tho well:o for your appointment, please remember to bring:

  1. medical history/ prescription of listed medications
  2. inhaler, Epipen, GTN spray if needed
  3. a list of any questions or concerns you may want to discuss with one of our hygienists
  4. we are a cashless practice, so please remember to bring card payment for any appointments or products from our dental shop

 

  • no need to see a dentist first
  • exceptional dental hygienists and therapists
  • constantly upgraded knowledge and expertise
  • best in class dental technology including Airflow and GBT deep clean 
  • transparent pricing
  • bespoke well:o preventive care plan
  • convenient locations
  • relaxed, spa-like environment

payment
well:o is committed to providing a high standard of treatment and service to our patients. To achieve this goal, it is important that payments are collected efficiently. well:o only accepts card payments. well:o doesn’t accept cash or cheque payments. Please note that unpaid accounts are routinely referred to a Debt Collection Agency or the Small Claims Court. well:o reserves the right to recover all costs incurred doing so.

deposits
For all treatments, patients are required to pay a deposit when booking an appointment on our website. In the interest of all our patients and staff we need to be certain that appointments are booked responsibly.
A minimum of 50% of the planned treatment cost is required when booking an  appointment. The deposit is non-refundable. The final balance for treatment is due on the day of the treatment and will be deducted
automatically from your card.

cancellation
well:o provides quality dental care to our patients and aims to use clinical time effectively. To achieve this, we have an appointment cancellation policy. We require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice to cancel an appointment. Failure to give us appropriate notice of cancellation, or not attending your appointment, will result in a failed appointment and the full fee for the appointment will be charged. Failed appointment fees are in place to cover the cost of the staff and surgery. Failed appointment fees must be paid before other appointments are offered.

late for appointments
well:o understands that being late for appointments is sometimes unavoidable. If you are more than 10 minutes late, please be aware that you may be asked to reschedule your appointment. It is our aim to telephone or write to patients after a missed appointment to understand the reason and to inform them of any fee or decision regarding their dental care. Any appeals about missed or cancelled appointment decisions by a patient should be made in writing to the Practice Manager. 

refunds
any refund request should be discussed with the reception team or dental care professional. If a refund is approved this will be submitted to the operations team and processed within 28 days unless specifically requested otherwise. All refund requests are subject to a 10% administration charge regardless of the amount of notice for the cancellation received.

yes. You do not need to see a dentist before you have an appointment with the hygienist. We accept patients who are registered with a dentist and patients who don’t yet have a dentist.

if your current practice cannot offer dental hygiene services, you would be very welcome to have your preventive care at well:o.

we do strongly advise seeing a dentist on a regular basis for your 6 monthly check-ups. We have a good referral pathway with some great Cambridge clinics and can recommend a dentist should you need one. As clinicians we all like to work as a team to care for your overall dental health. 

seeing a dental hygienist is important for maintaining good oral health. Here are a few reasons why you should consider scheduling regular appointments with a dental hygienist.

preventive care: Dental hygienists are trained to perform thorough cleaning and examination of your teeth and gums. They can remove plaque, tartar (calculus) and stains that regular brushing and flossing may miss. By addressing these issues early on, you can prevent the development of more serious dental problems such as cavities and disease.

gum disease prevention: Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common oral health issue that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Dental hygienists can assess the health of your gums, identify early signs of gum disease, and provide appropriate treatment and preventive measures to help you maintain healthy gums.

oral Health Education: Dental hygienists are knowledgeable about oral health and can provide valuable education and guidance on correct brushing and flossing techniques, as well as other oral hygiene practices. They can offer advice on diet and lifestyle choices that can impact your oral health.

early detection of dental issues: Regular visits allow for early detection of dental problems such as cavities, oral cancer, and other oral abnormalities. Early detection increases the chance of successful treatment and can help prevent more extensive and costly dental procedures in the future.

personalised treatment plans: Dental hygienists develop personalised treatment plans based on your specific oral health needs.

overall, seeing a dental hygiene or therapist is an essential part of maintaining good oral health. By scheduling regular appointments, you can prevent dental problems, receive personalised care, and ensure that your smile stays healthy and beautiful.

in general, it’s recommended to see a dental hygienist for a professional clean and check up every 3 – 6 months. The frequency of dental hygiene visits can vary depending on individual factors such as oral health status, risk factors for dental issues, and the recommendation of your dentist or hygienist.

some individuals may require more frequent visits based on their specific needs. For example, those with a history of gum disease, a higher risk of cavities, or certain medical conditions may benefit from more frequent cleans and check-ups. Your hygienist will advise you on a recommended recall plan.

we offer stain removal with Airflow™️, so if you have a special occasion coming up, or want to have more frequent cleans for stain removal, this is something we can offer after your initial appointment with one of our hygienists.

yes, we provide tailored hygiene appointments for children. They must be accompanied by an adult.

treating children for dental hygiene is crucial for several reasons.

  • establishing good oral health habits
  • preventing tooth decay
  • monitoring dental development
  • educating Children and Parents
  • building Positive Dental Experiences

overall, treating children for dental hygiene is essential for promoting their oral health, preventing dental issues, and establishing lifelong habits. By starting early and providing comprehensive dental care, dental hygienists contribute to the overall wellbeing and oral health of children.

whitening is a massively popular treatment and one that we hope to offer very soon.

air Polishing or GBT, is an advanced dental treatment approach that focuses on the complete removal of dental biofilm, which is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums.

it’s a comprehensive and minimally invasive method that combines the use of Airflow™️ technology, ultrasonic scalers, and hand instruments to effectively remove biofilm and stains from the teeth and gums.

GBT is a preventive and therapeutic approach that not only removes biofilm and stains, but also helps in the prevention and treatment of gum disease, tooth decay and other oral health issues.

it is a comfortable and efficient method that leaves patients with clean, healthy mouths. That well:o feeling!

for more information, please visit EMS Dental.

find out more about our prices here.

we don’t currently offer finance. But you might be interested in a my well:o plan, which lets you spread the cost of your annual treatments across monthly payments.