COVID-19 ADVICE
COVID-19 UPDATE FOR OUR PATIENTS (19/07/21)
Dear Patient,
Following the arrival of Freedom day today, we would like to update you on the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions relating to social distancing and the use of face coverings.
The key message for our patients is that dental services remain safe for dental staff and all patients, regardless of health conditions or vaccination status and are open for face-to-face care, but it is not yet business as usual.
Health premises are a high-risk environment and we need to maintain some control measures in dental practices to keep everyone safe.
The Delta variant is more transmissible, and patients may be contagious without knowing it.
Many people are still not yet fully vaccinated and dental practices have a vital role in reducing the spread of the virus by adhering to infection control measures.
In light of the above, and for your own safety and that of our staff, patients will be asked to wear a mask (unless exempt) and maintain social distancing on entering and once inside the practice premises.
We continue to request that you do not visit our dental practice unless you have been advised to or have an appointment with us. Please also do read the email you will receive confirming your appointment to understand the process on arrival for your appointment. If you have any concerns about attending your appointment, please contact our reception team for advice.
We thank you for your continued patience during this difficult time and look forward to seeing you soon. Take care and stay safe.
With best wishes,
Dental Suite Team
COVID-19 Update for our patients (05/01/21)
Dear Patient,
In light of the new National Lockdown, we wanted to reassure you that our dental practice remains OPEN.
We are still able to offer routine examinations and are continuing to work our way through the backlog of routine examination appointments that had to be cancelled from March 2020. If you have had your routine appointment cancelled please do call our reception team to be rebooked.
We are also still able to offer one off or urgent appointments to those patients who are not under the care of a regular dentist but in need of emergency treatment. If you require our help, please contact us by phone where advice or an appointment will be given if appropriate. Alternatively, you can get in touch with NHS 111 by phone or online via: www.111.nhs.uk for help.
Please do not contact a GP. They cannot provide dental treatment.
For your own safety and that of our staff please do not visit our dental practice unless you have been advised to or have an appointment with us. Please also do read the email you will receive confirming your appointment to understand the process on arrival for your appointment.
We thank you for your patience during this difficult time and look forward to seeing you soon. Take care and stay safe.
With best wishes,
Dental Suite Team
COVID-19 Update for our patients (09/12/20)
Dear Patient,
Following our phased opening from Monday 8th June, we have been hard at work to resume care and treatment for our patients.
We have been extremely busy dealing with an extensive list of patients; who during lockdown had their appointments cancelled. Treating patients who have had dental emergencies or outstanding courses of treatment has been our main priority. During this difficult period, due to spacing of patients and government guidance, we have not been able to operate at our normal capacity. Despite this challenge, our team have been working very hard to look after those in need, without compromising on patient or staff safety during this pandemic.
We are now able to offer routine examinations and are working our way through the backlog of routine examination appointments that had to be cancelled from March 2020. If you have had your routine appointment cancelled please do call our reception team to be rebooked.
We are also still able to offer one off or urgent appointments to those patients who are not under the care of a regular dentist but in need of emergency treatment.
The patient journey through the practice is quite different to what you have been used to prior to lock-down and has been summarised below. The changes are in line with social distancing and the infection control measures required to minimise the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Your treating dentist and assisting dental nurse will also be wearing vastly different personal protective equipment than previously required.
We will be operating on an appointment only service. Walk in’s will NOT be allowed on the premises. PLEASE CALL OUR RECEPTION TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.
All patients will have a COVID-19 assessment prior to entry to the practice for your appointment. This may be via a telephone call to you whilst you are waiting outside.
We have put health and safety at the top of our Agenda so that we have spaced appointments. Only the patient will be admitted to the practice unless a chaperone or carer is necessary. You will be escorted into and out of the practice. Sanitising your hands as you go in and as you leave.
We have transitioned to operating a paperless system to read and sign forms and will no longer be using paper forms at the practice. All paper forms which you would have previously completed or reviewed and signed will now be emailed to you to complete online in the comfort of your own home. The Patient Details and Medical History forms will be emailed to you on the day the appointment is booked, so please check your emails once your appointment has been booked.
You will also be requested to make payment for your treatment ahead of your appointment or if not, by card payment on the day of your appointment.
On arrival, please call the practice to confirm you have arrived for your appointment. There will be an extremely limited waiting area available at the practice and only those scheduled for an appointment will be able to come in and out of the practice.
We will be continuing to take your temperature ahead of you being escorted into the practice and requesting all personal belongings to be left and secured in your car i.e. bags, scarfs, coats, mobile phones. Please leave all jewellery and items of value at home.
If on the day of your appointment you present with a high temperature, fever, cough or have lost your sense of taste and or smell or feel at all unwell, We advise you do not come to the practice but call our reception team to reschedule your appointment.
If you have changed your telephone number or email, please let us know as this will be the primary forms of communication for the foreseeable future.
We thank you for your patience during this difficult time and look forward to seeing you soon. Take care and stay safe.
With best wishes,
Dental Suite Team
COVID-19 Update for our patients (01/06/20)
Advice will change as further NHS guidance is released.
Dear Patient,
Following the government’s announcement on 28th May that NHS dental practices can open from Monday 8th June, we hope to resume care and treatment of our patients from this date or shortly after. We are still waiting for definitive guidance from our Local NHS Area Team.
Care and treatment of our patients has to be done in a safe and effective way in light of the ongoing risk of transmission of COVID-19.
The priority will be treating our existing patients who have had dental emergencies but we will keep you informed as and when we are able to offer appointments for further treatments.
The patient journey through the practice will be quite different to what you have been used to prior to lock-down and has been summarised below. The changes are in line with social distancing and the infection control measures required to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus. Your treating dentist and assisting dental nurse will also be wearing vastly different personal protective equipment than previously required.
All patient’s will have a telephone consultation for assessment prior to an appointment being booked
There will only be one patient entering the practice at a time.
There will be an hour allowed for treatment and to allow for deep cleaning of the treatment rooms in between patients.
We will be operating a contactless system for paperwork and payment to minimise potential spread of the virus
All paperwork will be completed online in the comfort of your own home. The Patient details and medical history on the day the appointment is booked and the NHS form on the day of the appointment.
You will also be requested to make payment for your treatment ahead of your appointment by phone
At the time of your appointment you will be requested to wait in your car in a designated parking bay outside the practice. There are no waiting room or patient toilet facilities available at the practice now.
Your temperature will be taken ahead of you being escorted into the practice. All personal belongings must remain in your car i.e bags, scarfs, coats, mobile phones. Please leave all jewellery and items of value at home.
Only the patient will be admitted to the practice unless a chaperone or carer is necessary. You will be escorted into and out of the practice.
There will be hand sanitiser for your use on entering and leaving the practice.
If you have changed your telephone number or email, please let us know as this will be the primary forms of communication for the foreseeable future.
We thank you for your patience during this difficult time and look forward to seeing you soon. Take care and stay safe.
With best wishes,
Abbey Dental + Dental Suite Team
