LATEST UPDATE:
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat and as such there continues to be a need to be cautious in order to prevent and control transmission of the virus.
Our infection prevention and control remain in place as per the guidance for healthcare settings.
All patients will still be screened for potential COVID-19 infection prior to attending the practice using a simple set of questions. Based on the patient’s response they will be assigned to either a respiratory or non-respiratory pathway. If there is any doubt of the outcome and appointment is not of an urgent nature, it will be rescheduled no earlier than two weeks’ time. Guidance remains that physical distancing should be at least 1 metre in all areas where possible, for example when not providing direct clinical care. This should be increased to 2 metres whenever feasible. Universal masking/face coverings to remain as an Infection Prevention and Control measure for staff and patients within dental settings.
Further information can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control/covid-19-infection-prevention-and-control-dental-appendix
These are important measures from Public Health England aimed at limiting the spread of the virus in dental settings.
As before, our priority remains to keep all of our patients and staff safe to the best of our ability.
THE PRACTICE REMAINS OPEN:
19 JULY 2021 … nothing will change at the Practice
As you know, the Prime Minister has confirmed that public restrictions have been significantly eased on 19th July.
Under the Government’s guidance “Health and care settings will continue to maintain appropriate infection prevention and control processes as necessary and this will be continually reviewed. Guidance will be updated based on the latest clinical evidence this summer.” You can find this online here
In line with the Government’s guidance, England’s Chief Dental Officer, Sara Hurley, has informed us that the infection prevention control measures in dentistry should continue to be followed until further notice. These are important measures from Public Health England aimed at limiting the spread of the virus in dental settings. We’re also continuing to follow NHS dentistry’s standard operating procedure which helps us make this guidance work.
This means three things for patients:
- If you need to come into the surgery for an appointment, please remember that social distancing remains in place in the dental practice and to wear a face covering upon entering the building.
- We will continue to have restrictions on leaving time between patients to ventilate rooms if we perform an aerosol generating procedure. An aerosol generating procedure (AGP) is a medical procedure that can result in the release of airborne particles (aerosols) from the respiratory tract when treating someone who is suspected or known to be suffering from an infectious agent transmitted wholly or partly by the airborne or droplet route. In dentistry, for example, this means the use of something like a high speed drill. This impacts how many patients we can fit into a working day.
- We are also following the Chief Dental Officer’s advice that we should prioritise patients for treatment based on urgency and priority groups, such as those more at risk of dental disease or children.
Similar public health measures are still in place for hospitals and GP practices, too.
Every dental practice is working extremely hard to provide care to our patients within the restrictions and guidance to ensure it’s safe to visit the dentist.
We hope that this helps clarify why these measures are in place for every dental practice.
Please do give us a call if you think you need to see us, we’re open for patients.
Our priority remains to keep all of our patients and staff safe to the best of our ability. Until we are advised by our governing bodies to change our procedures they remain as they are…
12th July 2021
Thank you to all of our lovely patients who have returned for their routine examinations or treatments for being so patient and understanding of the new procedures the Practice has implemented. We have received such lovely feedback from you and it warms us that you feel safe coming to visit your dentist. Feel free to shout our praises here: worthing-dental.co.uk/leave-a-review/
- Since re-opening after the initial lockdown on 9 June last year the Practice has remained open
- We are still receiving a high volume of new patients enquiries which unfortunately we do not currently have the capacity to accommodate
- We are still calling all patients prior to their appointment to run through some Covid related questions to check you are fit and well to visit the practice
- On arrival at your appointment, you will be asked two further questions and your temperature taken
- Access to the practice remains via the side entrance
- The waiting area is still outside in the garden
- You will still be asked to sanitise your hands upon entry and wear your mask or face covering at all times while moving around the building
- We are still asking patients to enter the building WITHOUT accompanying persons who should wait outside/in vehicles when practical
- Appointments continue to be spaced to allow for ‘fallow time’ to provide room air changes, clearance and robust infection control procedures
- Enhanced PPE continues to be worn by the team
- If you wish/need to cancel your appointment, please contact the Practice as far in advance as possible (at least 24 hours) on 01903 503841
It is our priority to keep our patients and staff safe!
Oral hygiene maintenance at home: It is always important that we keep our mouth as healthy as possible but even more so at this time.
All our lives have been changed and for many, the daily routine we had has disappeared. Please remember to brush your teeth and gums twice a day for two minutes -once in the morning and again just before bedtime. Keep your toothbrush just for yourself, don’t share. Change it every 3 months. Use an electric brush if possible, with a fluoride toothpaste. Clean in between your teeth daily with tepe brushes, easy picks or floss – whichever works best for you.
Please visit our Facebook page to watch videos on how to look after your oral hygiene, recorded personally by one of your dentists or hygienists from Grand Avenue Dental Practice.
Minimise snacking – Many people are finding it a very long day being in lockdown. Please try not to snack. Many snacks are sugary, and it is the frequency not the quantity of sugary foods and drinks that cause our teeth to decay. Water, raw vegetables, nuts, bread sticks are great alternatives.
Finally, we would like to say how we truly value your continued loyalty and support. As you know, as a Practice from the very beginning, we have always strived hard to provide a caring and personal service and endeavor to build a relationship with our patients based on trust.
We appreciate and thank you for your understanding during this unusual time and look forward to welcoming you back to the practice shortly.
Let’s stay healthy, look after one another, and rest assured that we are just a phone call away if you have a dental emergency or need some advice.
Your dental team at Grand Avenue Dental Practice
PS. we have found our email data base is not complete. Please feel free to forward this to your family and friends that are also patients with us.