Patient agreement
URGENT/EMERGENCY TREATMENT – This Plan does NOT cover treatment in an emergency or life-threatening situation – for example oral or facial swelling, severe oral or dental pain, dental trauma, trismus, a dental or oral problem that might affect a medical condition, suspected oral cancer, persistent bleeding. If You believe that You, or any person You are assisting, needs urgent or emergency treatment You should immediately dial 999 or seek alternative emergency medical services.
Your Dental Practice is obliged to provide reasonable access to out-of-hours emergency dental treatment, either directly or through participation in an emergency dental cover arrangement.
The Practi contract between You and the Dental Practice
The following points make up the terms and conditions of Your Plan with the Dental Practice. These are very important, and we strongly advise that You read them carefully and keep them in a safe place so that You can refer to them in the future, should You need to.
Please remember, the Plan is with Your Dental Practice and cannot be transferred to another dental practice.
Practi’s role is to provide administrative services to support the Plan between You and the Dental Practice. This includes passing Plan payments onto the Dental Practice on Your behalf.
Practi does not provide dental care
1. Treatment and/or benefits included in the Plan
- ‘Practi’ means Simplyhealth Venture One Limited (company number 14603737) whose registered office address is at Anton House, Chantry Street, Andover, Hampshire, England, SP10 1DE.
- Child’ means any Patient under the age of 13 years or is aged under 18 years and does not have capacity to make their own decisions regarding their healthcare needs.
- ‘Dental Care Professional’ or ‘Dentist’ means a person qualified to practice certain aspects of dental care that is registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) to work in the UK.
- ‘Dental Practice’ means the legal entity that owns the dental practice the Patient is registered with. Examples include a Corporate Body, Goodwill Owner dentist as a sole trader, Limited Company or LLP:
- ‘Corporate Body’ means a partnership, a LLP or a private limited company incorporated in the UK and entitled to carry out the business of dentistry as defined in the Dentists Act 1984, as amended from time to time.
- ‘Goodwill Owner’ means a Dentist who legally owns the intangible assets of a dental practice, including but not limited to, the patient goodwill.
- ‘Limited Company’ means a form of business which is legally separate from its owners and managers.
- ‘LLP’ (Limited Liability Partnership) means a legal business entity partnership whereby the LLP is responsible for the debts of the business and not the partners.
- ‘Fee’ means the monthly payment You (or the Payer) will pay for the provision of dental services under the Plan.
- ‘Patient’ means the person(s) who will receive dental care under the Plan, as named in the sign-up form titled ‘set-up your plan’, e.g. You, Your Child or a Vulnerable Adult.
- ‘Plan’ means the dental plan You have agreed to, which will be provided to the Patient by the Dental Practice, and is governed by the terms and conditions of this contract.
- ‘Payer’ means the person paying for the Plan, as named in the sign-up form titled ‘set-up your plan’.
- ‘Start Date’ means the date of payment of the first monthly Plan Fee.
- ‘Vulnerable Adult’ means any Patient over the age of 18 years, who does not have capacity to make decisions about their healthcare needs (whether due to mental disability, physical disability, age or illness).
- ‘You’ or ‘Your’ means:
- the Patient; or
- the person signing up a Patient to a Plan, i.e. the person with parental responsibility or other legal authority to make decisions about the healthcare needs of the Patient.
2. Treatment and/or benefits included in the Plan
This Plan entitles the Patient to receive dental treatment to maintain oral health and may include other benefits offered by the Dental Practice.
After agreeing to the Plan, a confirmation email will be sent to You setting out the treatments and/or benefits under the Plan and the monthly cost of the Plan.
If You require any details in respect of the treatments and/or benefits under the Plan, please contact the Dental Practice.
3. Duration
Your Plan will commence on the Start Date and will run for a period of 12 calendar months (“Initial Term”), unless terminated sooner by You, Practi or the Dental Practice in accordance with condition 9 or 10. After the end of the Initial Term, the Plan will renew for successive periods of 12 months (“Renewal Term”) from each anniversary of the Start Date, unless terminated sooner.
Notice of the upcoming renewal will be provided to You in advance of the Renewal Term commencing. You and the Dental Practice will be required to determine whether any changes to the Plan are needed in advance of the Renewal Term commencing, failing which the Plan will remain the same as the preceding 12 months.
The notice provided to You in respect of the renewal will also include details of the treatments and/or benefits of the Plan, and the monthly cost of renewing the Plan.
In the event any treatment under the Plan is provided to the Patient prior to the Start Date, such treatment will be provided at the discretion of the Dental Practice and will be governed by this Plan as if provided after the Start Date.
4. Alteration of monthly Plan Fee
The Dental Practice is encouraged to review all of their chosen treatment fees once during the year, every year. Following a review, the Dental Practice may choose to change the monthly Fee of the Plan at its discretion (taking many factors into account, including the Retail Price Index and any changes to material costs or running costs). This review can be made at any point in the year, and You (or the Payer) will receive written notice in accordance with condition 15, at least 30 days’ in advance of any changes to the monthly Fee.
An alteration to the monthly Fee may also be required should there be a change to the Plan, necessitated by a change in the Patient’s dental health or a change in preferred treatments. This will be arranged directly between You and the Dental Practice. You (or the Payer) will receive written notice in accordance with condition 15, at least 30 days’ in advance of any changes to the monthly Fee.
In the event You do not accept the change in monthly Fee as notified, You have the right to terminate the Plan in accordance with condition 9. If You do not terminate the Plan following such notice being given to You, You will be deemed to have accepted the change in monthly Fee.
5. Treatment by another Dental Practice or Dentist
You are not permitted to transfer the Plan to another dental practice. If the Patient changes their dental practice, a new Plan will be required, providing the Patient’s new dental practice offers Practi’s plan services.
You may request for the Plan treatments to be performed by another Dentist at the Dental Practice. The decision to grant this request rests with the Dental Practice.
The Dental Practice may sub-contract provision of any of the treatment the Patient is entitled to under the Plan, to another Dentist at no additional cost to You (or the Payer). The Dental Practice will notify You in the event a sub-contracted Dentist is required to provide any treatment under the Plan.
Unless agreed with the Dental Practice, any costs associated with treatment the Patient is entitled to under their Plan, which is provided by a dental practice not party to this Plan, will not be covered under the Plan. Such treatment must be paid for separately to the other dental practice.
Where the Patient is referred by their Dental Practice to a specialist for treatment that is not listed in the Plan, the costs of the specialist’s treatment will not be covered under the Plan and must be paid for separately.
6. Payment
You (or the Payer) may be required to pay an initial administration fee to cover the set-up of the Plan, which will be added to Your first monthly Fee. Thereafter You (or the Payer) must pay a monthly Fee until the Plan ends.
Payments will be collected on the 1st of each calendar month.
You (or the Payer) must pay the monthly Fee by Direct Debit in favour of Practi as collecting agent for the Dental Practice.
Your liability to pay the monthly Fee continues until the Plan ends, as detailed in condition 9.
Any other amounts due to the Dental Practice for treatments provided to the Patient that are not included in the Plan, are payable by You directly to the Dental Practice and are not covered under the Plan.
Where You are not the Payer, it is Your responsibility to ensure that the Payer pays any sum due under the Plan. You agree that, when making any such payment, the Payer acts as Your agent and on Your behalf. Practi will contact the Payer in respect of any payment related issues.
7. Direct Debit changes
Following a change in the monthly fee of the Plan, the Direct Debit will be updated at the next available collection date.
Where You (or the Payer) are given notice of an increase in the monthly Fee, the Plan Direct Debit will be changed at the end of the required notice period, as detailed in condition 4.
Practi will also contact the Payer in the event of any Direct Debit changes.
8. Your responsibilities
You are responsible for keeping appointments made with the Dental Practice and at their discretion, You may be required to pay any ‘missed appointment’ fee should You fail to do so. Please ensure You have read and understand the ‘missed appointment’ policy at the Dental Practice.
You must ensure that You (or the Child or Vulnerable Adult) also attends the Dental Practice for regular examinations, receives the treatment the Dental Practice advises, follows any oral health advice the Dental Practice proposes, and You must promptly inform the Dental Practice of any injury, problem or other material matter affecting the Patient’s oral health.
If You fail to comply with any of Your responsibilities in the above paragraphs, You will be liable to pay any fee(s) reasonably charged for treatment necessary to restore the Patient’s oral health, which could otherwise have been avoided.
If, in the reasonable opinion of the Dental Practice, they are not able to maintain the Patient’s oral health due to any act, including any unreasonable and/or abusive behaviour towards Dental Care Professionals at the Dental Practice or Practi, or omission on Your part, the Dental Practice or Practi may end the Plan immediately by giving written notice to that effect. In such a scenario, the monthly Fee for the Plan will no longer be collected via Direct Debit from the month after such notice is provided to You (or the Payer).
9. Ending the Plan
During the ‘cooling off’ period
You can cancel the Plan for any reason during the 14 day ‘cooling off’ period. This period begins once You accept the terms and conditions of this Plan.
After the ‘cooling off’ period
Following this period, You may end the Plan by giving not less than 30 days’ notice to the Dental Practice and/or to Practi. Notice must be given in accordance with condition 15 to be effective.
In the event You do not accept any change to the monthly Fee and wish to terminate the Plan, You must provide notice that You are ending the Plan within 30 days of receiving confirmation that there will be a change to the monthly Fee. You must provide notice in accordance with condition 15 to be effective.
The Dental Practice may end the Plan by giving You 30 days’ written notice, in accordance with condition 15.
Where Your treatment has not been provided
Where the Patient has not been provided with any Plan treatments within 6 months of the Start Date, You may end the Plan by giving not less than 30 days’ notice to the Dental Practice and/or to Practi. You (or the Payer) will be entitled to a refund of the monthly Fee(s) made up to the date of cancellation. Notice must be given in accordance with condition 15 to be effective.
Where the Patient has not been provided with all treatment included in their Plan by the end of the Initial Term (or where applicable, the Renewal Term), the Patient will be entitled to receive the unused treatments within 3 months of the Initial Term (or where applicable, the Renewal Term) ending. You must arrange provision of any unused treatment directly with the Dental Practice.
In the event the Dental Practice fails to provide any unused treatment within the 3-month period stated above, You (or the Payer) will be entitled to a refund of the unused treatments (less any discount priced into the Patient’s Plan). You must request the refund directly from the Dental Practice and the refund must be claimed within 6 months of the Initial Term (or where applicable, the Renewal Term) ending .
Any refund owed to You (or the Payer) will be made subject to any discounts or offers. The refund will be managed and arranged by the Dental Practice (unless You are advised otherwise). Practi will not be liable to You (or the Payer) for any refunds.
10. Non-payment
Non-payment of fees
If You (or the Payer) fail to pay a monthly Fee, Practi will inform You (or the Payer) accordingly and will attempt to collect the Fee again during the same calendar month. Practi reserve the right to cancel the Plan should You (or the Payer) fail to pay a monthly Fee.
If You (or the Payer) fail to pay 3 or more monthly Fees on the payment dates, irrespective of whether Fees have been paid after the payment dates, the Plan may be cancelled at Practi's discretion, effective from the date of the last missed payment date.
Where successive payments have not been made (in error or otherwise) and the Plan has been cancelled, the Plan can be reinstated at Practi’s sole discretion, providing all missed payments have been made to the Dental Practice. If the Plan is reinstated, Your obligations under this Plan will continue.
Direct Debit cancellation
If You (or the Payer) cancel the Direct Debit without first informing Practi or the Dental Practice, Practi will attempt to contact You (or the Payer) by email or letter with the intention of setting up the Direct Debit again. Thereafter, no further attempts will be made to contact You (or the Payer). Should the Direct Debit remain cancelled, the Plan will be cancelled, effective from the date the Direct Debit was first cancelled.
Missed payments where treatment has been provided
Please be aware, if the Patient receives any treatment during a period of missed payment(s) You will be liable for all sums outstanding to the Dental Practice. The Dental Practice may seek to recover the outstanding balance from You and if necessary, take legal action.
Practi will notify the Dental Practice about any missed payment(s). The decision as to whether the Patient is provided any further treatment under the Plan will rest with the Dental Practice, not with Practi.
Cancelling the Plan after treatment has been provided
Please be aware, if the Plan is ended early and after the Patient has been provided with treatment(s), the Dental Practice is entitled to recover the costs of any treatment which is not covered by the monthly fees paid up to the date of cancellation. The Dental Practice may seek to recover the outstanding balance from You and if necessary, take legal action.
11. Variation of these conditions
If it is necessary to vary the terms and conditions in this Plan (e.g. to take account of changes in the law), this will be done by Practi and/or the Dental Practice giving You 30 days’ written notice in accordance with condition 15. Following Your review of the changes to the terms and conditions, if You do not want the Plan to continue You may end it as detailed in condition 9. If You do not end the Plan by the time given in the notice, You will be deemed to have accepted the updated terms.
12. Treatment outside the Plan
Nothing prevents You and the Dental Practice agreeing to provide treatment outside the entitlements under the Plan. You will be responsible for paying for such treatment separately.
13. Liabilities
Simplyhealth Venture One Limited (Practi) assists with the administration of the Plan and collects monthly fees on behalf of the Dental Practice. This contract is not with Practi and Practi has no liability to You, the Patient or Payer (whether in respect of tort (including, without limitation, negligence), breach of contract, defective or unsatisfactory treatment, or otherwise) in connection with any contract it administers on behalf of the Dental Practice. This does not affect any right or remedy You (or the Payer) may have against the Dental Practice.
14. Disputes
All Dental Practices who offer Practi products are required to have an in-house complaints procedure. If You are unhappy with any aspect of their dental care You should, in the first instance, approach the Dental Practice directly.
The Dentists and Dental Care Professionals at the Dental Practice are regulated by the General Dental Council. Where You are dissatisfied with the complaint’s procedure of the Dental Practice, You are able to contact the Dental Complaints Service to further Your complaint. Their contact details can be found at: https://dcs.gdc-uk.org/.
Practi is not a provider of dental services, and any dispute (clinical or non-clinical) is strictly between You and the Dental Practice.
15. Notices
Any notice given by the Dental Practice under these conditions is valid if Practi gives it to You on the Dental Practice’s behalf. Any notice given by the Dental Practice or Practi is valid if sent in writing to Your email address, the Payer’s email address, any of the contact details the Dental Practice has on record or the last known address by ordinary post. By default, notices will be sent by email.
Where notice has been sent to You by post, the notice period will commence from the date the notice was sent and not the date it is received by You. Where notice has been sent to You (or the Payer) by email, the notice period will be effective immediately.
Any notice by You to the Dental Practice and/or Practi must be provided in written English to the following:
To Pract
- email: support@practihealth.co.uk
- online: https://www.practihealth.co.uk/cancel-my-plan
To the Dental Practice
- please refer to the Dental Practice to confirm their usual policy for receipt of notices
16. At 18 years of age (where applicable)
Your Child’s Plan is designed by their Dental Practice for Your Child’s needs whilst they are under 18 years of age and as such, the Plan has been signed on their behalf by You, the person with parental responsibility. Your Child’s Dental Practice is obliged to review Your Child’s oral healthcare needs at the age of 18 and enter into a new Plan directly with Your Child as soon as possible after their 18th birthday.
Between Your Child’s 18th birthday and the Plan in place being cancelled or a new Plan being entered into, as long as payments for the Plan continue and are accepted by Your Child’s Dental Practice, Your Child is entitled to continue to receive treatment equivalent to that specified in the relevant confirmation email. However, You are encouraged to ensure Your Child enters into a new Plan directly with their Dental Practice as soon as possible after their 18th birthday.
Please contact Your Child’s Dental Practice if You require further information to set-up Your Child’s adult Plan.
When Your Child is 18 years of age and a new Plan is entered directly with Your Child, You will need to confirm whether there is a change in Payer. In the event the Direct Debits are collected from a different Payer, the new Payer will be required to meet their payment obligations under the Plan.
17. Third Parties
The Plan is intended to confer a benefit on the Dental Practice and You. No other person shall be entitled to enforce any term of the Plan by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the ‘Act’), including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Payer.
18. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
Both parties agree that this Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Law of England and Wales and the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
