AS a newcomer to New Milton I needed to find a dentist.

I approached four practices hoping to meet and talk to a dentist.

Three of them informed me that an initial consultation would cost £70+ and the 4th asking £45.

That meant that in order for me to reach an informed decision I would have to pay £250+.

I have recently retired and when running my business (not dentistry) I always bore the cost of an initial exploratory consultation to enable potential clients the opportunity to assess whether or not I and my business was the right option for them.

If a dentist practice is confident of their worth then that not charging for an initial consultation would reflect that and differentiate them from their competitors.

Dentists are among society's higher earners and can easily afford to absorb any costs of an initial consultation.

NEW ARRIVAL

Barton on Sea