Jump to content

'Dental beauty'


claresy

Recommended Posts

Having been a customer of Townley Dental for over 20 years I'm appalled at their new branding which prioritises 'beauty' over health, which is not what I want for myself or the message I'd like to give to my children.


Since they've been taken over, I've been unable to get through on the phone, instead being subjected to a long and annoying message on 'aesthetics' and had to go in personally to change an appointment. While the (new) receptionists were helpful and polite, assuring me that health is still the priority, this is not the message they're projecting through their branding. There are plenty of places offering 'aesthetics' but I would have thought I'm not alone in wanting a reliable dentist (who hopefully will also make my teeth look nice) and not wanting to support cosmetic procedures.


Can anyone recommend a good alternative NHS dentist in East Dulwich? I tried to post this in the 'businesses' section but it wouldn't allow me as said the 'exact same message' had already been posted! As I just composed it after going there this is completely untrue - unless by bizarre and improbable coincidence somebody typed the 'exact same' words as me!

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/222747-dental-beauty/
Share on other sites

My husband is a patient and was similarly bemused. I agree with you it sends a strange message!


The children and I see Dr Matin at Dulwich dental clinic on the LL (by the post office.) I haven?t had anything complicated done and don?t know about the other dentists but she is extremely nice and gentle and is quick and thorough. If you want to see the hygienist (also lovely) though, you do have to go to their cosmetic branch which does Botox and other beauty things as well as dentistry. As it?s the other end of the LL it doesn?t bother me as it isn?t being foisted on the kids.

I agree with original poster. I'm also looking to move from there. The re-registration questionnaire I had to complete was full of loaded questions along the lines of "do you want a whiter smile?" "Would you like more even teeth?"


Mind you I think the Townley Rd original dentist went downhill when Shane left and has dropped further downhill with this new takeover

Thanks for the replies - and pleased to hear I'm not alone. And thanks for the recommendation Lucy.


I would have thought 'Dental Beauty' could have written to existing customers to explain the change at the very least.


Zigzag, I actually misread your 2nd questionnaire example as 'would you like even more teeth' which did trigger a (probably not whiter!) smile!

I too have been a patient at this practice since childhood. Recently I was disappointed to hear that Madalina had moved on, hence was skeptical. However after chipping my tooth i visited Dental Beauty who reassuringly told me that they would keep me as an NHS patient. I think people need to be aware that most practices are private and Dental Beauty obviously cares enough about dental/oral health to keep their NHS contract, even though it costs more for them. Secondly I was seen by a very professional dentist called Niva who did not once insinuate or bully me into having cosmetic work done and charged me under NHS banding. They have invested heavily into new equipment and the all round experience was very pleasant. I really think people need to make their own opinion before listening to that of others. I will continue to use this practice for the future. If I was to go for cosmetic treatment, would you not prefer it to be in the hands of a professional in the UK than having a slapdash job abroad? Also they are partnered with another branch in Swanley who have got consistently highly ranked reviews/recommendations. The grass is not always greener..
Ohh, I had a lot of problems with my teeth because of smoking. And to be honest I didn`t even realize the connection between it. After reading this article https://vapingdaily.com/support/smoking-and-dental-health/ I quit with it immediately. It is a lot cheaper and healthier than to repair the teeth))
You may be right and quite prepared to accept the dentists may be good. However I wasn't basing my comment on anyone's experience except my own -which was that I was unable to get through to them on the phone and was put through (following a prolonged and irritating marketing message) to a call centre. I also find the branding and new name very off-putting and feel they should have contacted existing customers to explain the change.

I have moved to this area about a year ago, and after losing all hope in finding a dental practice that can rely on. I saw Dental Beauty, while on the bus. Then a friend of mine recommended that I try Dental Beauty in a last ditch attempt to restore any hope in a local Dentist. I walked in and although is was busy at reception. I sort of thought, well busy means a good thing, because people obvious are coming here for a reason. Lovely attentive receptionist took time to find out what I was booking for. She took my details booked an appointment, got sent an email and a text about my appointment.

On the day of my appointment, I had to fill in forms on a tablet. Which is good, as it reduces paper waste. I saw the owner of the practice. I had my check up and I asked a question about braces. He gave me all the options available to me, payment options, took photos and Xrays to explain what was going on in my mouth. He also told me about how braces will move my teeth. To be honest it was a very positive experience. I have booked back to have braces done at dental beauty.

I can understand that there have been changes, but from what I have read in this forum, the old owner should have told his patients that he was selling the business. I like the fact that, I don?t have to go in to central London, pay high prices, for all the new technology. I have been ripped off by a dentist before. This could be be good for the local community. At least we don?t have to travel far for a good dental practice.

Hi all,


I have been a patient here for over 10 years, as have my family. I?m actually more or less a neighbour.


I was also really disappointed that the change in ownership wasn?t shared with us patients. I have had a full explanation and accept that this was the fault of the previous owners for not letting us know. The new team are very polite and my family were well received.


I was actually mid way through a treatment with the previous owners and am now having it completed by Dr Patel. He?s been excellent and explained everything well so far. It turns out the team of dentists are now more qualified than previous and cover all areas of dentistry...that?s good.


On of my issues with the old owners was that they both smoked. My kids picked up on that before and we didn?t like that.


The practice looks great and yep, absolutely accepting NHS care. Clearly had some much needed investment to make it into an inviting place. I?m also having a tooth 3-d printed at the practice this week, with some amazing new machine they have introduced!


E

I know! Hema. My entire family is distraught. But, she's getting married so it's nice news for her. We saw a new dentist and she was delightful. As long as Margaret doesn't go, or handsome Raj (ahem), I can work with it!


Have to say, cosmetics make money and are a choice. They're still an NHS practice and every new staff member I've met has been lovely.

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 4 months later...
Hi, Only found out today about the change of ownership (shame on me, it's been that long since my last dental appointment). I'm so sad to hear that Madalina and Margaret are gone. The receptionist didn't give me much info saying that Madalina has "left the country" and she wouldn't confirm or deny that Margaret has retired. So sad that they are gone. if Madalina has started a new practice elsewhere I would like to know (ideally with Margaret on reception). Can anyone shed any light?
  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Alimc

I am new to the area and a new patient at Dental Beauty just over the last few weeks. I can honestly say my experience so far has been great. The reception staff and clinical team have been very friendly and professional. I have been to see Becki the hygienist who is very professional and helpful. Just the other week I saw Dr Niva Shah and I am going to have some long overdue cosmetic treatment. I would recommend the team there but I do know what it's like changing to a new dentist after having been used to your old trusted one and had built up a rapport. Sorry I cant help on where Margaret or Madalina might be now as I am new to the area. Good luck with your search.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Latest Discussions

    • Does anyone know when the next SNT meeting is? I am fed up with my son being mugged on East Dulwich Grove! 
    • The issue must be everywhere at the moment. I was visiting a friend last week in Bermondsey, think we were walking  down Linton Rd & we dodged 7 dog poos. It was disgusting. 
    • Thanks for your message — I actually took the time to look into what CityHive does before posting my original comment, and I’d encourage anyone with questions to do the same. Yes, the Companies House filings are overdue — but from what I’ve gathered, this seems likely to be an accountant or admin issue, not some sign of ill intent. A lot of small, community-based organisations face challenges keeping up with formalities, especially when they’re focused on immediate needs like food distribution. Let’s not forget CityHive is a not-for-profit, volunteer-powered CIC — not a corporate machine. As for the directors, people stepping down or being replaced is often about capacity or commitment — which is completely normal in the voluntary and community sector. New directors are sometimes appointed when others can no longer give the time. It doesn’t automatically mean bad governance — it just means people’s circumstances change. CityHive’s actual work speaks volumes. They buy most of the food they distribute — fresh produce, essential groceries, and shelf-stable items — and then deliver it to food banks, soup kitchens, and community projects across London. The food doesn’t stay with CityHive — it goes out to local food hubs, and from there, directly to people who need it most. And while yes, there may be a few paid staff handling logistics or admin, there’s a huge volunteer effort behind the scenes that often goes unseen. Regular people giving their time to drive vans, sort donations, load pallets, pack food parcels — that’s what keeps things running. And when people don’t volunteer? Those same tasks still need to be done — which means they have to be paid for. Otherwise, the whole thing grinds to a halt. As the need grows, organisations like CityHive will inevitably need more support — both in people and funding. But the bigger issue here isn’t one small CIC trying to make ends meet. The real issue is the society we live in — and a government that isn’t playing its part in eradicating poverty. If it were, organisations like CityHive, The Felix Project, City Harvest, FareShare, and the Trussell Trust wouldn’t need to exist, let alone be thriving. They thrive because the need is growing. That’s not a reflection on them — it’s a reflection on a broken system that allows people to go hungry in one of the richest cities in the world. If you're in doubt about what they’re doing, go check their Instagram: @cityhivemedia. You’ll see the real organisations and people receiving food, sharing thanks, and showing how far the impact reaches. Even Southwark Foodbank has received food from CityHive — that alone should speak volumes. So again — how does any of this harm you personally? Why spend time trying to discredit a group trying to support those who are falling through the cracks? We need more people lifting others up — not adding weight to those already carrying the load.
    • Well, this is very disappointing. Malabar Feast  has changed its menu again. The delicious fish curry with sea bass no longer exists. There is now a fish dish with raw mango, which doesn't appeal. I had dal and spinach instead, which was bland (which I suppose I could/should have predicted). One of my visitors had a "vegetable Biriani" which contained hardly any vegetables. Along with it came two extremely tiny pieces of poppadom in a large paper bag.   This was embarrassing, as I had been singing Malabar's praises and recommending we ordered from there. The other mains and the parathas were OK, but I doubt we will be ordering from there again. My granddaughters wisely opted for Yard Sale pizzas, which were fine. Has anybody else had a similar recent poor (or indeed good!)  experience at Malabar Feast?
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...