Covid-19

Patient Information

As per the latest advice from the government and Chief Dental Officer, our dental practices have reopened for emergency dental care and some routine dentistry as per phase 3 of the road map.

The Government has imposed restrictions on the dental treatment which we are allowed to carry out, under the NHS, during phase 3 of their road map. We are currently not allowed to carry out any NHS aerosol generating procedure (AGP). This includes procedures which use scalers and highspeed drills i.e fillings and scale and polish treatment.

Following vigorous risk assessment and production of a safe operating procedure, we have been able to introduce some private treatment options to any patients wishing to proceed with their treatment. We have enhanced PPE available and have the strictest of hygiene procedures in place.

As we move through Phase 3, we hope to get the go-ahead from the Government and Chief Dental Office to carry out AGPs under the NHS. If you are awaiting treatment under the NHS, we will be in touch with you in due course. In the meantime, should you wish to progress with a private dental treatment, do not hesitate to get in touch.

Any patient requiring urgent dental treatment under the NHS, should give us a call and we can still refer patients to the local Urgent Dental Care Centre where they are permitted to carry out NHS AGPs.

Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation during these unprecedented times

Phased Approach to Resuming Normal Service

We would like to introduce to you the phased approach, as announced by the government and Chief Dental Officer, to reopen our practice and start up dental treatment again.

Phase 1 is where we prepare for the reopening of the practice. We worked closely with the local health board to ensure we follow the latest local guidance on top of the government’s guidance.

Phase 2 commenced on 22nd June. This where we reopen to see patients with urgent care needs. We work closely with the local emergency dental centres (the PDS) and referring patients to them where we cannot carry out the treatment in practice (aerosol generating treatments in particular).

Phase 3 commenced on 13th July. In this phase we are allowed to begin to see registered patients at the practice for routine dental care. We are continuing to work closely with the local emergency dental centres (the PDS) and referring patients to them where we cannot carry out the treatment in practice

Phase 4 will see the start of the return of normal service.

We are keen to keep our patients up to date with the information we have available at the time, however, please remember, as with all government guidelines issued around COVID-19, these are subject to review and changes.

Dental Emergencies

If you have a dental emergency (severe pain or swelling), please give your practice a call during opening hours and a member of the team will be able to assist you. For dental emergencies out with our opening hours, you can still call NHS 24 on 111.

Take care and stay safe!

NHS Information on Coronavirus

Patient Safety is our Number One Priority

With patient and staff safety being our number one priority, we are pleased to introduce you to the measures which we have now put in place at our practices.

1) We are booking patients appointments to ensure that the practice is not overcrowded. We do this by leaving suitable gaps between appointments, making sure that patients can attend the practice while maintaining a safe distance from one another in accordance with government guidelines.

2) We will be creating clinics for patients who are most vulnerable, to help minimise patient contact with others whilst they are at the practice.

3) To further avoid overcrowding when you arrive at the practice, where possible to do so, we ask that you wait in your car or in a safe place outside of the practice until called in. We will notify you via your phone when you should enter the practice.

4) We may suggest a virtual consultation with the dentist, using a video link, prior to you visiting the practice.

5) Where possible, you will fill in all relevant forms on your mobile phone, or computer before you enter the practice. This means that you will not have to touch a pen, paper, or any electronic device other than your own when you attend your appointment. This crucial step greatly reduces touch points at the practice.

6) We have created hygiene stations for all of our patients to use when entering and exiting the practice. These contain gloves, masks and hand sanitiser.

7) Between all appointments the dental team will thoroughly disinfect the dental surgery, reducing the risk of patient exposure to anything harmful while they are in the chair.

8) And finally, as you leave the practice, we ask that you pay by card, preferably contactless.

Please don’t feel overwhelmed by these changes, they have been put in place to ensure our patients and staff are as safe as possible.

We hope you find these changes reassuring.