Monday 19th July 2021 Patient Update – COVID 19
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:
1. Please remember that social distancing remains in place in the orthodontic practice and to wear a face covering upon entering the building.
2. 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.
3. 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 children.
Waiting Room
The waiting room will have a restricted maximum capacity to allow social distancing. Once the waiting room is full, a sign will be placed at the door, asking you to wait outside. Please avoid attending more than a few minutes early for your appointment. Please look out for the signs indicating where you are invited to sit while waiting and avoid bringing other people with you where possible.
Accompanying the Patient
We will invite parents to waiting list review and new patient appointments, as well as extraction appointments. Parents may also request to be admitted if their child is very nervous, or if they have questions for the orthodontist. We ask that parents think carefully about whether it is essential for them to attend with their child. If it is possible to wait outside, this will leave more space in the waiting room for people with appointments and will help with the smooth running of the practice.
COVID Screening and Check in Process
We need each patient to complete the covid screening documentation sent by email or text prior to attending the practice. If a medical history form is included, please update this too. We cannot start treatment or assessments until we have this information.
When attending the practice please let reception know you have arrived.
Hand Sanitising
Please sanitise your hands on arrival and departure.
If you have any questions relating to the new procedures, please do not hesitate to contact the practice.
Kind regards
Whitetree Orthodontic Centre
