We are delighted to be reopen and seeing our patients again

We are open and seeing patients but our primary focus is keeping all patients and staff safe during the Covid 19 pandemic and as such, things have changed at the practice and the way we work has also changed.

During the practices closure we made many alterations to keep everybody safe.

1. We have fitted large fans to the surgeries to dramatically improve ventilation.
2. We have improved ventilation in the reception and fitted a virus filter.
3. We have removed all soft flooring and replaced with hard flooring which can be cleaned and disinfected easily.
4. We have fitted washing and drying facilities so that gowns etc can be laundered on site.
5. We have invested in respiratory protection for our staff.
6. We have fitted splatter screens in the reception.
7. We have fitted alcohol gel dispensers outside the practice and throughout the practice for everybody’s use. Please use these particularly before entering the building and when leaving the building.

To keep everybody safe the way we work has now changed.

We are complying with all government guidance and taking all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of Covid 19.

1. Hand gel is available throughout the practice.
2. Temperature checks of all staff and patients.
3. Covid-19 declarations by all staff and patients prior to entry to the practice.
4. Weekly testing of Staff for Covid 19 when test availability allows.
5. Face mask used throughout the practice.
6. All frequently touched areas are cleaned at least every 30 minutes.
7. All chairs and touched areas are cleaned in reception after patient use.
8. Extra cleaning between patients in the surgery.
9. Surgeries left for a Fallow period after any aerosol producing procedure followed by a full surgery clean down.
10. Respiratory protection for staff members.
11. Unfortunately, no access for patients to the toilet, as toilets have been implicated with Covid 19 spread.
12. No patients waiting in the reception unless absolutely necessary.

What this means for patients.

There is now a new patient journey which all patients should make themselves familiar with prior to their appointment. When you are reminded of your appointment you will be sent instructions and a link which will direct you to our patient portal. It is essential you are able to use this facility to update your medical history and covid status prior to attending. When you arrive at the practice you will need to log into the portal again to “check in.” This will alert the receptionist to your arrival outside and you will be messaged when to enter the building.
It has changed some of the treatments we now offer. We are advised to not use the ultrasonic scaler, so for the time being we are doing hand scale only. We have been advised that where possible fillings should be repaired rather than replaced to prevent the generation of aerosol, so you may be offered repair rather than replacement of a filling.

The capacity of the practice has decreased and as a result we have had to look at how to prioritise our time. The practice has the core value of improving our patient’s oral health and wellbeing. As a result, we have decided that we are no longer offering an emergency dental treatment only service or a scale and polish only service. We want to prioritise our time and emergency slots to regular attenders and patients committed to the practice. Regular patients will be offered the full range of dental treatments available at this time.

We realise some of these changes may seem difficult to adapt to but if we all work together it will soon become the new normal.