Total Orthodontics Harrogate

Our previous appointment for 8.30am was apparently cancelled by post (which we never received) and rearranged for 8am. So my son had a wasted trip. Aside from this our experience of NHS orthodontist treatment generally has been underwhelming. Initially delayed a year by Covid, it was also paused for a 6 month period last year whilst NHS contracts were reallocated. We were the moved from a local practice to total orthodontics which is nearly an hours drive away. I'm now concerned as to how his treatment will be completed when he goes away to university. The lack of availability of appointments at accessible times to us is dragging out treatment.
Apr 23rd, 2023

Extremely pleased with my two new crowns after a month of putting them through a rigorous test! Thank-you Janet and team for your perseverance, professionalism and well received good humour.
Oct 7th, 2022

Arrived early. Appointment was 2.15pm, was called at 14.37! No explanation had to go to the desk. We are paying for this treatment not a good service so far. Sorry.
Jul 12th, 2022

My son had his braces here. Therapists all lovely and happy to advise. I rang a few times with concerns and was always given helpful and friendly advice.
May 7th, 2022

I wouldnt recommend this dentist if youre a person of colour as I found my experience in this orthodontics was not pleasant the whole two years I was here. I found some of the receptionists specifically Jax extremely rude. There was one receptionist who was so lovely unfortunately I dont remember her name, but she was working besides the arrogant receptionist. On one recent occasion I went over to speak to the receptionist as advised by the dentists and Jax decided to interrupt as if the receptionist I was speaking to couldnt speak for herself. Jax was aggressive in her tone and doesnt know how to interact with patients at all. There is a way to explain things and I found her approach intimidating and disrespectful. Furthermore, on a separate occasion I attended with my sister and one of the receptionists was clearly discriminatory as if she had never seen someone with a hijab on before and gave disgusting glares towards my sister. I dont know what gives some of these receptionists the audacity. If anyone looks slightly different to them, youll get stared at like a zoo animal. I know that Harrogate is a predominantly white area but that is no excuse for prejudice. If you cant do your job whilst treating everyone equally, you shouldnt be working there. Moreover, when Id attend for my appointments the dentist who approached me to get my braces tightened would usually approach me by saying my name and asking me how I was. Consistently, every time I asked them, they would ignore me, and I knew they had heard me. There was a lack of patient centred care and it was simply, rude and ill-mannered. My penultimate appointment was one of my worst experience and left me feeling extremely upset. First of all, every time I attended, I had a different dentist working on me, so it was always quite an anxious experience as if going to the dentist wasnt anxious enough already. When I had my braces taken off, the dentist didnt even bother to introduce herself or smile and I had two other random people I had never met looking down at me. I felt extremely uncomfortable and quite afraid really that these people were just prodding at me with drills and I didnt even know their names. I dont remember the dentists name unfortunately, but I found her quite intimidating. I thought getting my braces off was meant to be an exciting moment, but I didnt even get offered a mirror to see how they looked. I left the dentist feeling really upset. I had spoken to one of the dentists there who took my pictures at the end of my appointment who was also a POC (unfortunately, I dont remember her name) and she was really nice and apologised when I told her about my experience. She took her time to listen to my concerns and made me feel at ease and less anxious being there which I really appreciate. Dr Riley was also nice throughout my whole experience and thats about it. The recent dentist who also fitted in my retainers was helpful and explained everything perfectly. Im not sure whether it is because NHS patients get treated differently to private patients or whether it is because I look different and Im a person of colour or if the some of the staff just lack key communicational skills, but the atmosphere overall wasnt great and could definitely do with improving. Im not the only patient there, my sister has also experienced the same thing, so it is obvious something needs to change. Id be upset for anyone else to experience the same thing I experienced here. Despite all of this, my teeth look much better and Im extremely thankful for all the work they did as I feel much more confident in my smile but its a shame about everything else.
Nov 26th, 2021