PRACTICE NEWS: COVID-19 practice update

We are pleased to let you know that we now have permission from Health Improvement Scotland and the Chief Dental Officer to reopen the practice to enable us to see patients face-to-face.

In line with The Scottish Government guidelines this will initially be to see patients with emergency and urgent treatment.

We have been working behind the scenes, risk assessing and introducing new operating procedures and protocols to ensure the safety of patients and staff members.

The practice will open on 8 June and we will be contacting patients who we have recently treated with telephone triage and prescriptions as a priority, to attend for assessment and to plan emergency treatment.

We hope that routine dentistry will recommence soon after that. We will be in touch to arrange appointments as soon as possible.

Please note for the foreseeable future there will be different protocols to maintain social distancing and increase our already excellent cross infection measures.

This will include:

• Patients to wait in the car park to be called in for appointments
• Patients to attend alone unless requiring assistance
• Pre appointment screening for COVID-19
• Temperature checks on arrival before entering the premises
• Staff screening and temperature checking
• Reduced number of staff and patients on the premises
• Patients to carry out hand hygiene and wear a mask (supplied) when on site
• Minimal wipe down furniture and reception screens
• Enhanced PPE for aerosol generating procedures

To reassure patients there is currently no evidence to suggest that there is a risk of contracting COVID-19 from dental procedures for staff or patients. However, these enhanced procedures will be present for as long as the virus is in the community to give us all peace of mind and additional protection.

We do understand that as some of our patients are over 70 or shielding due to underlying health conditions you may be anxious to attend. We are happy to discuss any concerns with you individually.

We are also able to offer ‘virtual online consultations’ using SmileMate (www.smilemate.com) if you would prefer not to visit the practice in the near future. If this is of interest please let us know by email info@smileplusdentalcare.co.uk and we can arrange to send you a link to enter information and upload photographs. A video consultation with your dentist can also be arranged via the same platform.

In the meantime we are available to you from 8am-8pm 7 days a week for emergency  telephone advice and prescriptions or referral to the emergency hub. For routine enquiries please email the practice as above.

We look forward to welcoming you back to the practice soon.

Best wishes

Fiona Davidson