Collections

If you have work to be collected, please call the day before you require the collection to ensure we can schedule you in for that day. We cannot guarantee delivery times and as such please make sure you ask for the work back the day before the patient’s appointment.

 

If you no longer require a collection that has been requested please notify us ASAP to avoid unnecessary trips to practices. In the case of overnight services please book patients in as late as possible in the afternoon for the fit appointment.

 

When a collection is requested and the driver arrives at the practice to find there is no labwork to collect, Gales 3D Dental reserves the right to charge for the collection service.

 

Turnaround Times

 

 

 

 

​

​

 

 

We do however always endeavour to get jobs back before our minimum requirements but we ask for these minimum deadlines to allow for busy periods/technical issues that are not foreseeable.

 

Any work requested in a timeframe less than the standard turnaround may be liable for an express fee at the discretion of the lab. This can be discussed in advance with the lab.

 

Please note that ‘working days’ exclude weekends and bank holidays. The first working day is calculated from the first full day in the lab i.e. the day after the work is collected from the practice. Postage time will need to be allowed to/from lab so please add this accordingly to our turnaround times above. Please note that our free postage label is not recorded delivery and also does not guarantee next day delivery.

 

We reserve the right to charge for premium delivery services when time allowed is less than requested.

 

Express Service

 

Express service is subject to availability (for example sufficient staffing and public holiday/lab closures). In busy periods the lab may not be able to honour the express service. It is advisable to contact the lab directly to confirm turnaround times and give prior notification of express job.

 

Any work requested in a time frame less than the standard turnaround time may be liable for an express fee at the labs discretion. This will be considered on an individual basis. If you are unsure as to whether a job will incur an express fee please contact us directly on 0208 502 5274 or email – admin@gales3Ddental.co.uk and we will be happy to answer any questions.

 

Please note that when labwork is being sent via a courier/postal service we aim to return express cases in 1-2 working days however once labwork has been sent we cannot guarantee the exact date/time of arrival due to potential unforeseen delays with the courier/postal service.

 

Dormant Cases

 

Any job that has not progressed to the next stage for 3 months or more will automatically be charged for the work that has already been completed.

 

Fees

 

All accounts must be settled (in full) within the calendar month that the statement is sent. We reserve the right to withhold work in cases where accounts are in arrears. Any accounts that are not paid in full by the end of the calendar month may incur a 3% late payment fee which will be added to the outstanding amount. 

 

Products Liability

 

Appliances are constructed to the specification prescribed on the laboratory docket. We are not responsible for the suitability of that specification.

 

By fitting an appliance in the patient’s mouth, you, the client, accept that Gales 3D Dental has produced the appliance to the specification and satisfaction of client.

 

Any work requiring a remake should be returned to us within 15 working days of the invoice date and we will return the re-made work to the client again within 15 days. Please return the original appliance when a remake is required. Failure to do so may result in a full charge to make the appliance.

 

A dental appliance that fits the master model poured from the original impression/scan supplied by client and which is created to the specifications on the prescription of the client, but subsequently has to be remade is not considered a remake.

 

We make every effort to interpret and follow the client’s instructions correctly. If, however, a mistake is made by us we will rectify the situation as quickly as possible. However if the instructions have been written improperly we will charge in full for any new appliances. We will not compensate dentist’s fees, consequential losses or expenses of any kind.

 

Gales 3D Dental will endeavor to deliver work on or before the delivery date as specified on the prescription. If for any reason we have not been able to do this the laboratory will not compensate dentist’s fees, consequential losses or expenses of any kind.

 

The client is responsible for any additional costs or charges incurred through changing instructions or delivery dates after the work has been accepted by the laboratory.

 

Warrantees / Guarantees

 

We can only guarantee that the appliance prescribed will fit the model produced from the impression/scan provided. We cannot guarantee that the appliance will fit the patient’s mouth as this is entirely dependent on the accuracy and detail of the impression/scan taken.

 

We are unable to offer blanket guarantees or warrantees on our appliances however, we do guarantee the materials and workmanship. In cases where you believe either of these to be below the expected standard all work must be returned to the lab with any models for examination by our qualified technicians. Any work fitted in a patients mouth will automatically be deemed fit for purpose and will be fully chargeable.

 

In cases where work is returned as the patient has changed their mind and no longer wants the appliance or the course of treatment has changed the work will be fully chargeable.

 

We cannot guarantee any dental appliance that is based on a faulty model. Impressions/scan will be treated as accurate, unless obvious flaws or omissions are visible, then we will contact the client to discuss possible solutions.

Remakes with new impressions/scans will normally be charged at 50% of the original invoice at the discretion of the lab.

 

Aligner Treatment

 

All aligner cases must be submitted on to the ‘Treatment Review’ section of the 3shape communicate portal in order for the laboratory to commence treatment planning stages.

 

Once aligner treatment plans are approved they are invoiced in full. If the laboratory has started fabricating the aligners and the case is cancelled then the dentist/patient may be liable to cover costs of materials and time spent on the case.

 

If aligner cases if approved more than 6 months after initial treatment plan is submitted it may be liable to an initial ‘fit check’ aligner to ensure the treatment can proceed as planned. If at the fit check the aligner does not fit, a new manual impression/digital scan will be required and a new aligner treatment plan will be required. This will be chargeable as a new aligner treatment plan.

 

The laboratory may deliver cases back in phases to manage the work load and to meet turnaround times. It is the responsibility of the prescribing dentist to inform the lab when the next phase of aligners are needed. We recommend that the lab is made aware of this once the final aligner of that phase has been fitted as this allows the dentist to check the case is tracking and should allow for 10-14 days for the next phase to be made and delivered.

If additional movements are requested at the end of treatment that were not included in the initial treatment plan this is classed as ‘additional aligners’ and not refinements. This will be chargeable as per the current pricing structure.

 

In most cases we will allow up to 2 lots of refinements inclusive of the initial treatment cost however if refinement aligners are requested it is at the discretion of the laboratory as to whether this is chargeable. For cases under 6 aligners refinements are not included in the initial cost. If there is a charge involved the prescribing dentist will be made aware of this prior to refinements being made.

 

Please bare in mind that IPR and attachments are advised to help teeth move into position. If the IPR is not carried out at directed in the IPR breakdown then this can prevent tooth movements from occurring and teeth will not track. The laboratory may advise back tracking aligners rather than a new course of treatment. If a new course of treatment is necessary the laboratory reserve the right to charge for this. If attachments are not placed correctly, are missing or misshapen this can affect tooth movement and therefore there will be a greater likelihood of refinements being required.

 

We do not provide passive aligners as part of our aligner packages. It is the prescribing dentists responsibility to retain the teeth after alignment is complete (this is recommended as soon as the arch is aligned regardless of if treating single/dual arch). If the case relapses due to no retention and requires more aligner treatment the laboratory reserves the right to charge accordingly as this is additional treatment.