Your questions, honestly answered

Yes — we are always happy to welcome new patients to the practice. Simply call us on 0121 458 1362 or fill in our online booking form and we'll arrange a convenient appointment time for you.

Just yourself — and a few minutes early if possible. We'll ask you to fill in a short new patient form covering your medical history and any concerns you'd like to discuss. If you have previous dental records or X-rays from another practice, it can be helpful to bring those, but it's not essential.

Free parking is available nearby on The Green, including beside The Bulls Head pub. The practice is also well served by public transport — bus numbers 18 and 45 stop directly outside.

We're open Monday to Friday 8:30am–5:15pm, and on Saturdays 9:00am–1:00pm by appointment only.

For emergencies outside of these hours, please call our main number and follow the instructions on the answerphone.

Please give us as much notice as possible — ideally at least 24 hours. This allows us to offer your slot to another patient. You can call us on 0121 458 1362 or email reception@thegreensdentalsurgery.com. Repeated late cancellations or missed appointments without notice may result in a charge.

Yes — significantly. There is strong ongoing research showing that poor oral health can cause or worsen a range of serious conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and complications during pregnancy. The bacteria associated with gum disease can enter the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body. Keeping your mouth healthy really is part of keeping your whole body healthy.

Your dentist will recommend a recall interval based on your individual oral health — typically every 6 to 12 months. Regular check-ups allow us to spot early signs of decay or gum disease before you have any symptoms, when treatment is simpler, quicker, and less costly. Don't wait until something hurts.

Tooth sensitivity can have several causes, including brushing too hard (which wears away enamel), gum recession exposing the root surface, tooth grinding (bruxism), acidic food and drink eroding enamel, a cracked tooth or filling, or recent dental treatment.

The good news is that sensitivity is usually very treatable once we identify the cause. Mention it at your next appointment and we'll investigate properly rather than just recommending sensitive toothpaste.

Very. Smoking is one of the most damaging things you can do to your oral health. It causes gum disease — often without obvious symptoms until significant damage has already occurred — and can lead to tooth loss. It stains teeth heavily, causes persistent bad breath, and in serious cases is a major risk factor for mouth cancer. We'll always support you with stopping without judgement if that's something you'd like help with.

Early gum disease (gingivitis) often shows no pain at all, which is why regular check-ups are so important. Signs to look out for include bleeding when you brush or floss, gums that look red or swollen, persistent bad breath, receding gums, or teeth that feel loose.

If you notice any of these, book an appointment promptly — gum disease is very treatable in its early stages but can cause irreversible bone loss if left.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush — electric is preferable — and fluoride toothpaste. Brush for a full two minutes, twice a day (last thing at night is the most important). Use gentle circular movements rather than scrubbing. Don't rinse with water after brushing — spit out excess paste but leave the fluoride to do its work. Floss or use interdental brushes at least once a day to clean between teeth where your brush can't reach.

Professional teeth whitening carried out under dental supervision is safe and does not damage enamel when used correctly. The gels we use have been clinically tested and are applied at appropriate concentrations. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity during or after treatment, but this resolves quickly. Over-the-counter products from non-dental sources are a different matter — some contain abrasive or harmful ingredients. Always have whitening carried out by a GDC-registered professional.

Both are discreet orthodontic options but work differently. ClearCorrect uses a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that gradually move your teeth. They're nearly invisible, removable for eating and cleaning, and suitable for a range of alignment issues.

Quick Straight Teeth uses fixed clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires to straighten primarily the front (cosmetic) teeth, and typically achieves results in 4–24 weeks. It's a faster option for minor to moderate crowding or spacing of the front teeth.

The right choice depends on your specific situation — we'll advise at a free consultation.

With modern local anaesthetic, fillings are almost always completely painless. You'll feel pressure and vibration but not pain. If at any point you feel discomfort, raise your hand and we'll stop immediately and give more anaesthetic. The injection itself can feel like a slight sharp scratch, but we take care to apply topical anaesthetic gel first to numb the gum before the injection — most patients find it much less uncomfortable than they expected.

Yes — we offer 0% interest-free finance for more extensive treatments, allowing you to spread the cost without any additional charge. Ask at reception or mention it at your consultation and we'll walk you through the options available for your specific treatment plan.

Our facial aesthetic treatments — anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers — are non-surgical procedures carried out by GDC-registered dental professionals who have an in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy. Dental practitioners are uniquely qualified for these treatments because of their extensive training in the structures of the face. All treatments are carried out in a fully regulated clinical environment and we take a conservative, natural-looking approach. We always begin with a thorough consultation and will only proceed if the treatment is appropriate for you.

We recommend bringing your child as soon as their first tooth appears — typically around 6 months. Early visits aren't necessarily about treatment; they're about familiarising your child with the dental environment so it feels normal and unthreatening. Bringing them along to your own appointments first can help enormously. The earlier they start, the more relaxed they'll be as they grow up.

With great patience and plenty of gentleness. We always go at the child's pace — we never rush or force anything. Before we examine your child, we'll often examine their favourite toy or teddy first, so they can see exactly what's going to happen. We explain everything in simple, child-friendly language and there's always a sticker at the end.

Many of our team are parents themselves and understand that a positive first dental experience can set the tone for a lifetime of good dental health.

Absolutely — baby teeth matter a great deal. They hold the space for adult teeth and decay in baby teeth can cause pain, infection, and affect the development of permanent teeth. They also play an important role in speech development and the ability to chew properly. Establishing good oral health habits in childhood sets the foundation for healthy teeth for life.

The plan covers two dental examinations per year, one hygienist scale and polish, dental X-rays as required, and gives you a 10% discount on all further private treatments. Plan members also receive priority emergency appointment access. Payment is by convenient monthly Direct Debit.

The Greens Dental Plan is a private plan — it is not linked to NHS dental care. It covers your routine private appointments and provides a discount on all further private treatments. If you have questions about NHS versus private dental care, please ask at reception and we'll explain the differences clearly.

Yes — you can join the plan at any time. Your benefits are available from day one with no waiting period, and your monthly payments begin from the date you join.

Yes. You can cancel at any time by contacting us. If you cancel mid-year, any appointments already used will be charged at the standard private rate, offset against the monthly payments already made.

You are far from alone — dental anxiety is extremely common and nothing to be embarrassed about. The most important thing is to tell us. When you call to book, mention that you're nervous and we'll make a note so the whole team is aware from the moment you arrive.

At your appointment, we'll take as much time as you need, explain every step before we do it, and stop whenever you raise your hand. There's no pressure to proceed with any treatment until you feel comfortable. Many of our most anxious patients have told us they now look forward to their appointments — that's genuinely our goal.

Please don't let this put you off coming. We see patients who haven't attended for 5, 10, or even 20 years regularly, and we never judge. We understand that the longer you've been away, the more anxiety can build up. The first appointment is simply an examination — no treatment is carried out without your explicit agreement. The most important step is just getting through the door, and we'll take care of the rest.

Absolutely. You're very welcome to bring a friend or family member with you. Having a familiar face in the room can make a significant difference, and we'll happily accommodate this for any appointment.

Call us as early as possible on 0121 458 1362 — we do our best to see emergency patients on the same day, and Dental Plan members receive priority. If you have a knocked-out adult tooth, store it in milk or hold it in your cheek (not water) and call us immediately — speed matters.

For out-of-hours dental emergencies, NHS 111 can direct you to an emergency dental service in your area.

Yes — please let us know when booking if you or your child have any accessibility requirements, physical disabilities, or additional needs. We'll do everything we can to make your visit as comfortable and straightforward as possible and will plan your appointment accordingly.

The practice meets all requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The data controller is Dr AA Ali, who is also the Information Governance Lead.

Your personal and health data is stored securely and never passed to third parties except where required to provide your care (for example, referrals to specialists, with your consent). Patient records are retained for a minimum of 10 years in line with our legal obligations. You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data — contact us at reception@thegreensdentalsurgery.com to exercise these rights.

Call us on 0121 458 1362, email reception@thegreensdentalsurgery.com, or fill in the contact form on our Contact page. We aim to respond within one working day.