Coronavirus Policy
This policy has been created based on multiple updated sources from within the dental, medical professions and the government. It outlines modifications to our normal procedures that we intend to employ once the practice can be reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic peak has subsided.
It is not known at this time for how long these procedures will be in place for or whether they will become a permanent feature of the way dental practices must be run to ensure patient and staff safety in the future. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic is still being evaluated and studied and policies and recommendations are likely to change in line with new scientific evidence over time. We would like to thank all our patients for their patience and tolerance during the period of temporary practice closure and their understanding and co-operation whilst we implement new measures at the practice.
We will, of course, be providing dental care to all our patients in the safest possible environment. We greatly appreciate your assistance with any new or modified procedures at the practice. The Shirley Avenue Dental Care team has prepared the practice for reopening and practising our updated procedures before patients return to the practice. We plan to gradually introduce aerosol treatments as necessary.
We will be contacting patients and confirming appointments ahead of their scheduled appointment. During this phone call, we will be asking all patients COVID-19 screening questions. If we feel that you are at risk of having possibly been infected, even if you are asymptomatic, we will respectfully request for you to delay booking any appointments with us. We recommend that patients in the high-risk groups for developing complications from coronavirus delay non-essential dental treatment.
We will be asking all patients to attend their appointment alone. We will allow family appointments for examinations if they are from the same household. We ask that you pay for your appointments via card or contactless where possible. On arrival, please ring the doorbell, one of our staff members will go through some screening questions with you. You will then be asked to use a hand sanitizer that we will be providing. You will be given a surgical mask which you must wear during your time with in the practice, you will then be taken through to the waiting room where you will be sat socially distanced, once the dentist is ready for you, you shall be chaperoned to the surgery. Once your appointment is complete, you will be shown out of the practice to help ease the flow of patients and maintain social distancing.
The Shirley Avenue Dental Care team have spent time critically looking at every aspect of the practice to remove all non-essential items that can potentially be the cause of infection. You will find that the practice may appear to be quite bare when you attend. We regret that during this interim period, we will not be providing our normal magazines in the interests of reducing all opportunities for cross-infection to a minimum. All clinical and common areas including door handles and surfaces will be regularly disinfected in addition to our normal surface cleaning protocols between patients.
We will also be providing a buffer period between patients to allow additional time for enhanced decontamination procedures and allow preparation time for the next patient so that they do not need to wait in the reception area. Most routine appointments such as check-ups and hygiene will be pre-appointed for you, we shall call you closer to the time of those appointments and we can always change dates and times to suit you.
All dental staff will be using personal protective equipment in line with current recommendations and evidence. We apologise in advance for the necessary reduction in social interaction that this will necessitate. Whilst our masks may make us appear impersonal and distant, please be assured we are still the same friendly team underneath it all! Please do not be alarmed coming into the surgery and seeing our staff wearing this Personal Protective Equipment. This is to protect our patients as much as our staff. Summary The vast majority of our patients are otherwise healthy without coronavirus infection and we are confident that we can provide dental care for these patients in as normal an environment as possible while bearing in mind our responsibilities to mitigate risks of infection spread as far as is practically possible. This policy will be constantly reviewed and updated as necessitated by circumstances over time.
Please remember we still want to provide our usual excellent service and we will be open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday to Saturday. If you have any questions regarding this policy or about your dental care at Shirley Avenue Dental Care, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@shirleyavenuedental.com or call the practice on 02380774056.
Know the Guidance
Please review the most up to date Government Advice (NHS).