Coronavirus Covid 19

It goes without saying that we always take Infection Prevention and Control very, very seriously. 

Following the latest advice from the Chief Dental Officer England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Dental Council (GDC), with effect from 8th June 2020, Private dental practices can now treat patients in need of face to face dental care whilst carefully observing existing and updated cross infection measures in line with the current recommendations.

Here’s what we’ve been busy implementing, to ensure your safety and ours:

1. We are triaging all patients prior to attending our practice to check for COVID symptoms and review medical histories.   
   
   
2. Conducting contactless temperature checks and use of hand-sanitisers for patients’ in key locations
3. Conduct a COVID-19 risk assessment, in line with the latest guidance for all visitors and staff 
4. All Clinical staff have received fit testing of FFP2 masks
5. Reviewed and updated our Infection Prevention And Control Policy and Standard Operating Procedures 
6. Provided refresher training to all staff on Infection Prevention And Control (including Hand hygiene, correct donning/doffing of PPE, Patient Journey) and Standard Operating Procedures Strictly adhering to Public Health Guidelines for PPE depending on types of treatments
7. Seeing all patients by appointment only
8. Limiting the number of patients within in the practice at any one time to no more than 2 persons  
9. Patient belongings to  be stored in plastic lidded box in surgery during treatment.  
   
   
10. Booking space between appointments to allow appropriate ventilation time for AGP treatments and so that we can disinfect the practice before and after each patient has attended
11. Limiting patient access to our toilets unless absolutely necessary.
12. Placed awareness notices, floor stickers for patients inside and outside the practice
13. Disinfecting everything patients may touch between appointments in reception and clinical rooms (e.g pens, card terminal, handles, etc)

We will be contacting all patients the day before their appointment for a risk assessment and Telephone Triage.

Please do not visit us without a booked appointment as we will not be able to see you.

As a reminder, the single most important preventative measures remain as:

• Using tissues when sneezing which can be disposed of.
  • Frequent and thorough washing of hands.

Common symptoms of the Coronavirus include

• High temperature or fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of taste and or smell

We ask that if you or anyone who you live with have any of the above symptoms or are concerned that you may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, then please do contact us to arrange an alternative appointment. 

Updates on public health advice for Coronavirus can be found on the NHS Inform website, and a free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice: 0800 028 2816.