Dentists
Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery
4a-6a Ratcliffe Drive,Stoke Gifford,Bristol, Bristol BS34 8UE
Overview
Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery is a dental practice located in Stoke Gifford, Bristol, serving the local community and surrounding areas. As a general dental practice, it provides a range of oral healthcare services to patients of all ages, from routine check-ups and cleanings to more complex dental treatments. The surgery is positioned on Ratcliffe Drive in a convenient location for residents of this Bristol suburb.
The practice typically offers services including preventative dental care, fillings, extractions, and cosmetic dentistry options. Like most NHS and private dental practices in the area, the surgery aims to maintain and improve patient oral health through professional treatment and patient education. The practice likely accepts both NHS and private patients, making dental care accessible to the local community.
For practical purposes, patients can visit the surgery during standard opening hours for appointments. Those interested in registering with the practice or seeking specific information about available services, treatment costs, or emergency care should contact the surgery directly to confirm current details and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can register at Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery in Bristol by calling 01179 798732, visiting the practice in person, or completing a registration form on their website. Unlike GP registration, you do not need to live within a catchment area to join an NHS dentist — you can register with any practice that is accepting NHS patients. You will be asked for your name, date of birth, address, medical history, and details of any medications you take. Your first appointment will usually include a full dental examination.
NHS dental places can be limited and availability changes frequently. Contact Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery directly on 01179 798732 to check whether they are currently accepting new NHS patients. If Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery is full, you can call NHS 111 or use the NHS website (nhs.uk) to find other NHS dentists near Bristol accepting new patients. You do not need a referral — simply contact the practice.
If you are registered at Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery, call 01179 798732 during opening hours for an emergency appointment. Outside surgery hours, call NHS 111 for advice — they can direct you to the nearest emergency dental service. Go to A&E only if you have uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, or trauma to the face or jaw. For dental pain at home, take over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol), rinse with warm salt water, and apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek.
NHS dental charges in England are set nationally and apply at Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery. As of 2024, Band 1 (check-up, diagnosis, X-rays, scale and polish if needed, preventive advice) costs £26.80. Band 2 (fillings, root canal treatment, extractions) costs £73.50. Band 3 (crowns, dentures, bridges) costs £319.10. An urgent dental treatment charge is £26.80. If you need more than one treatment in the same course, you only pay the highest band. You may be entitled to free NHS dental care if you are under 18, under 19 and in full-time education, pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, receiving certain benefits, or hold an HC2 certificate.
During a routine check-up at Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery, your dentist will examine your teeth for signs of decay, check your gums for gum disease, examine the soft tissues of your mouth (tongue, cheeks, palate, throat) for any abnormalities including signs of oral cancer, review any existing dental work (fillings, crowns, dentures), take X-rays if needed to check between teeth and below the gum line, carry out a scale and polish if clinically indicated, and discuss your oral hygiene routine. The entire appointment typically takes 20-30 minutes.
Yes, Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery has dental hygienists who provide professional cleaning (scale and polish), stain removal, advice on brushing and flossing techniques, treatment for gum disease, and fluoride treatments. On the NHS, a scale and polish is included in a Band 1 check-up if your dentist deems it clinically necessary. Some patients choose to book additional private hygienist appointments for more thorough cleaning — ask Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery about private hygiene fees.
Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery may offer private dental treatments alongside NHS care. Common private options include tooth-coloured (white) fillings on back teeth, porcelain crowns and veneers, tooth whitening, dental implants, invisible braces (such as Invisalign), and private hygienist appointments. Private treatment is not subject to NHS band charges and is priced per procedure. Ask Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery for a written treatment plan with costs before starting any private work so you know exactly what to expect.
NHS orthodontic treatment (braces) is available for children under 18 if they meet clinical criteria (assessed using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need — IOTN). Your dentist at Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery can assess your child and refer them to an orthodontist if needed. NHS orthodontic treatment is free for under-18s. Adults are generally not eligible for NHS orthodontics and would need to explore private options such as fixed braces, Invisalign, or other clear aligner systems. Ask Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery about orthodontic referrals and private options.
NHS dental charges at Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery are payable at the time of treatment. Most practices accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards. You should receive a receipt and an FP17DC form confirming your NHS treatment and the band charged. If you are exempt from charges, bring evidence (such as a maternity exemption certificate, HC2 certificate, or proof of benefits). For private treatment, Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery may offer payment plans or finance options — ask the practice for details.
Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery in Bristol provides a full range of NHS dental treatments including routine check-ups and examinations, scale and polish, fillings (amalgam and tooth-coloured where clinically appropriate), root canal treatment, tooth extractions, dentures (full and partial), crowns, bridges, and dental X-rays. Preventive care such as fluoride varnish for children and fissure sealants is also available on the NHS. Your dentist will explain which treatments are available under the NHS and which may only be offered privately.
Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery understands that many patients feel anxious about visiting the dentist. The practice offers a supportive, understanding environment and can accommodate nervous patients with longer appointment times, a detailed explanation of each step before it happens, the option to pause treatment at any time, distraction techniques, and referral for sedation if appropriate. Let the team know about your anxiety when booking — they will do everything they can to make your visit comfortable. Severe dental phobia can be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) through the NHS.
Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery follows strict infection control protocols as required by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Department of Health. Measures include sterilisation of all instruments using autoclaves, single-use disposable items (gloves, masks, suction tips) for every patient, surface disinfection between appointments, hand hygiene protocols for all clinical staff, and regular infection control audits. These measures protect patients and staff from cross-infection. You can ask to see the practice's infection control policy if you wish.
Your dentist at Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery will recommend a recall interval based on your individual oral health needs. NHS guidelines (NICE) recommend check-ups every 3 to 24 months for adults and every 3 to 12 months for children and young people under 18. If your teeth and gums are healthy, you may only need to visit once every 12-24 months. Patients with gum disease, a history of decay, or other risk factors may need more frequent visits. Your dentist will advise the best interval for you at each appointment.
Yes, Stoke Gifford Dental Surgery uses dental X-rays as part of routine examinations. These may include bitewing X-rays (to check between teeth for decay and bone levels), periapical X-rays (to see the root of a specific tooth), and panoramic X-rays (a full view of all teeth and jaws). Dental X-rays use very low doses of radiation and are safe. Your dentist will only take X-rays when clinically necessary — typically every 6 to 24 months depending on your risk of dental disease. X-rays are included in NHS Band 1 charges.