Hywel Samuel and Associates Golate

23/04/2026

🦷 Gum (Periodontal) Treatment – NHS Wales Update

Under the new NHS dental system in Wales, care is focused on prevention and long-term oral health.

👉 You may be offered NHS gum treatment if:
✔ You have diagnosed gum disease (bleeding gums, bone loss, deep pockets)
✔ Treatment is clinically needed to keep your mouth healthy
⚠️You are willing to follow advice and improve your oral hygiene - important!

💡 NHS periodontal care is provided as part of a care package, not just a one-off clean.

⚠️ Important:
You are entitled to up to 2 courses of treatment per year on the NHS, so it’s important to make the most of your care.

👉 To benefit from treatment, you’ll need to:
🪥 Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
🧵 Clean between your teeth every day
🚭 Reduce risk factors, (eg smoking, uncontrolled diabetes)
📅 Attend appointments and follow your care plan

💬 NHS care is based on clinical need and patient commitment. Your dental team will support you every step of the way.

16/04/2026

09/04/2026

🦷 Important Update: Changes to NHS Dentistry in Wales 🦷

From 1st April 2026, the Welsh NHS dental system has changed:

✅ Care Packages Replace the Old Banding System – Making your treatment simpler and clearer.
✅ Recall Intervals Updated – Healthy patients will now be seen every 18–24 months.
✅ Active Dental Disease – Patients with ongoing issues will be seen more frequently.
✅ New Patient Registration – All new patients must register through DAP (Dental Access Portal).
✅ Existing Patients – Anyone who hasn’t attended since 1st April 2023 will need to register on DAP to continue care.

We understand this may be frustrating for some patients. These changes are set by the Welsh Government and are out of our control. We kindly ask you to be patient with our staff as we navigate and adjust to the new contract.

📞 Ask our reception team for more details and to find out how these changes may affect you.

02/04/2026

📢 Important – NHS Number Required

To maintain your registration with the practice, all patients must provide their NHS number.

If you have not yet provided your NHS number, please contact us as soon as possible.

You can find your NHS number via the NHS website below or on previous NHS correspondence.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Use this service to get your NHS number sent to you by text, email or letter.

02/04/2026

🐣 Easter Opening Hours Notice

Please note that the practice will be closed on:

Good Friday
Easter Monday

We will reopen as normal on the next working day.

Urgent dental care (out of hours):
• Available from 5:00 pm weekdays
• All day on weekends and Bank Holidays

📞 0300 102 0247 (urgent care only)
Or contact NHS 111 for advice and support.

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish all our patients a Happy Easter! 🌼

24/03/2026

Before & After ✨

This patient presented to Dr Michael O’Brien with a failed crown on UL2. Unfortunately, the tooth was no longer restorable and had to be removed. As this was the patient’s only missing tooth, a partial denture wasn’t the most suitable long-term solution.

After discussing all options, the patient chose a dental implant, providing a fixed, natural looking replacement that restores both function and aesthetics.

The result? A seamless smile and renewed confidence 😁

If you’re facing a similar situation, get in touch to explore your options with Dr Michael O’Brien.

19/03/2026

We're currently welcoming new patients at Golate Dental.
If you've been thinking about joining a friendly, well established practice in the heart of the city, now is the time to get started. Our team provides a full range of care from routine check-ups to cosmetic treatments, all tailored to you.
We also offer membership plans to help make your dental care more manageable, and we continue to invest in the latest digital technology to give you the best experience possible.

For a limited time, new patient appointments are just £50 (usually £72)

If you know someone looking for a dentist, feel free to tag or share, we would love to welcome them!

12/03/2026

🚨 New Technology at the Practice! 🚨

We’re excited to introduce our new digital scanner, bringing a faster, more comfortable, and more precise dental experience for our patients. 🦷✨

No more messy impressions or uncomfortable moulds. Our new scanner captures a highly accurate 3D image of your teeth in seconds, making treatments smoother and more predictable.

Why patients love digital scanning:
✨ Comfortable – no traditional impressions
✨ Precise – improved accuracy for crowns, bridges, and aligners
✨ Quick – faster appointments and results
✨ Informative – helps us assess and show you your oral health during your examination

This investment is part of our commitment to modern dentistry, improved patient comfort, and outstanding results.

📲 Ask us about our digital scanner at your next appointment or contact the practice to book in.

05/02/2026

⏰ Reminder: New Friday Opening Hours

Just a reminder that from this week, our practice will close at 2:00 pm on Fridays.

Urgent dental care (out of hours):
• Weekdays from 5:00 pm
• Weekends & Bank Holidays, all day

📞 0300 102 0247 (urgent care only)
Or contact NHS 111 for advice.

For routine enquiries, please contact us on the next working day.
Thank you for your understanding 😊

09/01/2026

📞 Phone Lines Temporarily Down

We’re currently experiencing an issue with our phone lines and are unable to take calls at the moment. Our team is working to resolve this as quickly as possible.

👉 In the meantime, please contact us via email and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Thank you for your patience and understanding! 😊

08/01/2026

👋 Meet Christian, our newest dentist!

Christian graduated from the University of Bristol in 2024 and joined us in September 2025, after spending a year working in Porth, where he gained valuable experience managing patients with high and complex dental needs.

He has a keen interest in oral surgery and endodontics and is enthusiastic about continuing to develop his skills in these areas 🦷✨

Outside of dentistry, Christian enjoys playing darts and cooking 🎯🍳
He also attended a Welsh language high school and, although a little out of practice, is keen to continue improving his Welsh.

We’re delighted to have Christian as part of the team, be sure to say hello at your next visit! 😁

07/01/2026

Happy New Year to all of our followers!

We have some changes coming up in the practice, starting with this one:

📢 Change to Friday Opening Hours

From the 2nd February, we will close at 2:00 pm on Fridays ⏰

Urgent dental care:

Weekdays from 5:00 pm

Weekends & Bank Holidays – all day

📞 0300 102 0247 (urgent care only)
Or call NHS 111 for advice

For routine matters, please contact us on the next working day.

Thank you for your understanding! 🙏