RATIONALE FOR NEW PATIENT APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES AT HUGO ORTHODONTICS:

●Our mission, as a practice is to reduce fees by introducing efficiencies in our operations, so that more people can afford Orthodontics.

● Communication is time-consuming and our strategy is to digitally share as much information about all our

procedures as possible, so that when we do communicate in person, that this interaction is made more

worthwhile and meaningful, because the patient will then already have an in depth knowledge of the

relevant issues.

● Our system has specifically been developed to improve efficiencies, reduce costs and to enhance

transparency and communication.

● All New Patients first have full photographs, Videos and Xrays done, because clearly we cannot give an

informed opinion without first doing a comprehensive evaluation and having an opportunity to properly

evaluate the records before giving feedback.

● At the New Patient appointment a Nursing sister or Oral Hygienist with many years of experience in

orthodontics, will show the patient and parent the photographs, Videos and Xrays, and explain that a report

and quote will be emailed to the patient and referring dentist when Dr Hugo has evaluated them properly

● The patient is only charged for clinical photos, Xrays and a treatment plan - A consultation fee is not

charged unless the patient/ parent requests a subsequent sit down discussion after they have

evaluated the report and asked as many questions as they want by email.

● We do our utmost to be transparent about the way we do things in our practice.

● The Hugo Orthodontics Practice Policies and Procedures explains exactly what we plan to do at these

New Patient and Returning New Patient appointments.

● This document is emailed to the patient/parent/guardian before the appointment and is also physically

handed to the patient/parent/ guardian to read when they arrive at our practice - it is also available on our

website.

● Our online booking system specifically informs the person making the appointment, that the orthodontist

will not be available at the first appointment.

● The patient / parent / guardian is asked to confirm that they have read and understood the Hugo

Orthodontics Practice Policy and Procedures when they fill in the New Patient form.

● We only charge our patients for 9 photographs but actually our photographic examination comprises 13

photographs and two short video so that Dr Hugo can evaluate the teeth, tongue and throat and also the

tooth display on talking and smiling.

● Most patients are delighted that they can ask as many questions as they like by email, text or Whatsapp at

no charge.

● Questions and answers, recorded in writing and saved to the patients digital file, are far more

valuable than a discussion, because they become part of proper record keeping for future reference

to the benefit of both parties.

● Only about 1 patient/ parent in 50 requests a sit down case discussion, but if this is requested it then

becomes a more useful interaction because they have already familiarised themselves with the issues and

procedures described in the report.

● Thousands of patients who have been through this process report a 95% satisfaction rate with our services,

so this process clearly is widely accepted and well received by the overwhelming majority of our patients.