Alston Dental Surgery

20/08/2026

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR OUR NHS PATIENTS 🦷

NHS dental check-ups are changing!
This is because the NHS is shifting focus from routine 6-month recalls for patients with healthy dental assessments to prioritising urgent care and prevention. This will result in longer gaps between check-ups for those patients with good oral health.

Why is my NHS checkup recall longer than it used to be? 🦷
As a part of the new NHS Quality Improvement Programme, adults with healthy teeth and gums who are assessed with low risk of having dental disease, will be seen up to every 2 years. Children who are assessed as having low risk, will be offered a checkup once a year.

What if I do have a high risk of dental disease? 🦷
During your checkup (as usual), your level of risk will be assessed. You and our dentist will determine and discuss the length of your recall.

What if I develop toothache or pain before my recall appointment? 🦷
You should call the practice - again, as usual. Depending on the issue, you could be seen sooner if you have a dental problem. That is the same advice for any developing tooth issues with children.

As always, please telephone the practice if you have questions, are unsure, or develop dental problems sooner than your next scheduled checkup. ☎️

Thankyou 🫶🏽

17/08/2026

We're open tomorrow but from 11am as we have a staff meeting from 9.30-11. Please leave a message as we're unable to answer the phone until then. Thanks.

15/08/2026

To any patients who are suffering when are closed.

🦷 Need urgent dental treatment today?

If you’re experiencing dental pain or need urgent dental care, we have appointments available today at the Carlisle Urgent Treatment Centre.

📅 Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm
📞 Call Dental Direct on 01228 603900 to book an appointment and be seen today.

🌙 Out of hours & weekends:
📞 Call NHS 111 and ask for DenCall.

Don’t suffer with dental pain, help is available.

06/08/2026

Update - this was 9 in one day. 6 of which were children!!

This morning we have had 5 people fail to attend their scheduled NHS appointments!!!

We are unable to take on any new NHS patients as we are not allowed to see anybody out of our current agreed contract.

This not only wastes the dentists time, but there are other people (sometimes in pain) who could have made use of this valuable time.

Patients risk losing their NHS place if they fail to attend an appointment again!

PLEASE CANCEL your appointment in good time. We have an answer machine that can be used 24/7 even if we are closed or you can email us.

Thankyou.

23/07/2026

The telephone will not be answered this morning as Anna sits her final exam! All appointments will go ahead as normal today. None urgent enquiries can be sent to [email protected].
Please be aware of local road closures before setting off. Thanks to all of our patients for your understanding.

21/07/2026

Road to alston closed. Allow extra time if traveling for appointments today from Brampton and follow the diversion signs. Sorry for any inconvenience.

30/06/2026

30/06/2026

We are pleased to announce that following a recent cleanliness and cross-infection audit we have been awarded 5 stars again! Thankyou as always to our practice staff but a BIG thankyou to our amazing cleaner Louise!

30/06/2026

How often do I need my NHS dental check-up?

The dental team will talk to you about when you should have your next check-up.

For adults with healthy teeth and gums, this may be up to every two years. Children with healthy teeth and gums will be offered a check-up once a year.

If you have any problems with your teeth, gums, or mouth, contact us and ask to be seen sooner.

25/05/2026

We have recently had a much higher rate of NHS patients failing to attend their scheduled appointments (especially children not being brought to their appointments) and late notice cancellations.
As per our practice policy; if you have two failure to attend appointments then you will be de-registered as an NHS patient. You must give at least 24 hours notice if you are unable to attend - by telephoning the practice and leaving a voicemail (you can do this 24/7). Unfortunately, we are still unable to take on new patients as our NHS funding has not been increased for the last few years. Please help us by not wasting precious surgery time. As a small independent practice, this can cost us dearly. Thankyou! 🦷

When millions are struggling to access care NHS practices are left paying the price for no-shows.