WE ARE OPEN
This policy has been created based on multiple updated sources from within the dental and 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.
Dear patients; please fill-in this online form before attending Cottage Implant Clinic.
WE ARE OPEN DURING LOCKDOWN
PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE
The practice will re-open for patients who require essential dental treatment on Monday 8th June 2020.
This will be extended to other patient groups as the lockdown restrictions are eased further
The Cottage Dental Clinic team will prepare the practice for reopening and practising our updated procedures before patients return to the practice.
WE WILL INITIALLY BE SEEING
Patients with emergency problems or other dental problems that require urgent assessment and treatment;
When the lockdown restrictions are further lifted we will be able to see:
- Patients with treatment that was not completed prior to the lockdown.
- Patients who were due for routine examinations and Scale and polish appointment during the period of closure.
NEW MEASURES TO REDUCE THE RISK OF COVID-19 TRANSMISSION
Our normal cross-infection control protocols at Cottage Dental and Implant Clinic against all previously known pathogens are already woven into all clinical activity carried out at the practice.
It should be remembered that a dental practice is already a very clean environment compared to public areas and there is no evidence of COVID-19 transmission occurring in increased rates in dentists or their staff.
We have collectively observed all of the updated guidance laid by our all regulatory bodies and implemented cross infection control preventions measures that exceeded these guidelines. We feel that the measures which are outlined in this policy will reduce risk to the minimum level at the practice.
Please be assured that all of our clinical staff will also be complying with our updated procedures to reduce the risk of cross infection in both directions.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
We will carry out a pre-attendance assessment via your completed Medical History/Assessment forms at least three days before your appointment and, if necessary, a follow-up telephone conversation to assess relative coronavirus infection risk.
Our staff will contact you to remind you of this if we have not received your completed forms. If you have any difficulties with completing the forms we can help you with this over the phone. A dentist may also carry out a video consultation with you to assess your dental problem prior to your visit so that a treatment plan and cost estimate can be sent to you.
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 for at least one month. If we do not receive the completed questionnaire in time and we are unable to contact you, we may need to cancel your appointment. You may be charged for the appointment if we are unable to fill it at short notice as per our normal terms and conditions.
We recommend that patients in the high-risk groups for developing complications from coronavirus delay non-essential dental treatment for as long as possible until the trend of the pandemic becomes clear. If you are in a high risk group and do require treatment we will schedule your appointment at the beginning of the day.
To find out whether you are in a high or very high-risk group please refer to attached COVID-19 dental treatment consent form.
The Cottage Dental Clinic will be operating contactless payment systems going forwards, and we will request that payment is made online or even the for your appointment prior to attending if you do not have a means of making contactless payment at the time of your visit. This reduces the requirement for unnecessary contact or use of pin entries on card terminals at reception.
ARRIVING AT THE PRACTICE
Masks will be provided to patients unless they prefer to bring their own
When you attend the practice, we will welcome you, and ask for you to place your coat or jacket in the allocated box near the entrance to the practice. The front door will remain locked, however we cannot accept liability for personal items so please limit what you bring into the building.
We will take your temperature with a no-touch thermometer. If your temperature is above 37.8°C, you will be unable to enter the practice and will be asked to return home and self-isolate as per current government guidelines.
We intend to eliminate waiting inside the practice and at reception. Accordingly, appointments will be staggered so that patients do not arrive or leave at the same time as other patients as far as we are able to manage.
We will discourage the use of the restrooms, if i have to be used please do your best to ensure that you leave the facilities as you would expect to find them and wash your hand thoroughly. The restrooms will be regularly disinfected between patients .
If you are well, we will direct you straight to the surgery and request that you do the following before or during your appointment:
Use the hand sanitizer in the reception area
Thoroughly wash your hands for 30 seconds with the antiseptic hand wash provided in the surgery
We may ask you to use a Hydrogen Peroxide mouthwash before some dental treatments are provided
Rubber dam or other barrier mechanisms will be used for more procedures than previously.
PRACTICE PROCEDURES
The Clinic team have spent time critically looking at every aspect of the practice with a view to removing 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 tea and coffee services 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.
The Clinic will be providing a buffer period between patients to allow additional time for additional decontamination procedures, allow for any treatment overruns and allow preparation time for the next patient so that they do not need to wait in the reception area.
All future appointments will be made and confirmed by email or telephone to limit your time spent at reception.
Dear patients; please fill-in this online form before attending Cottage Implant Clinic.
DENTAL PROCEDURES
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!
We are especially mindful that many dental treatments are aerosol-generating procedures (AGP’s). It is difficult for us to carry out some dental procedures without generation of some level of aerosol. Aerosol suspended in the air is a theoretical source of infection which we obviously wish to keep to a minimum. Currently the dental literature suggests:
Our use of our normal high-volume suction reduces aerosol production by over 90%. The use of dental rubber dam where possible reduces bio aerosols by a further 30 to 90% Our regular surgical facemasks filter approximately 60% of remaining airborne particles. FFP2 and FFP3 masks filter 94% and 99% respectively of airborne particles in both directions (patient to clinician and clinician to patient).
We have also installed a professional air purifying unit in every surgery as well as the waiting room. These units are designed to eliminate 99% of air bacteria and viruses in 10-15 minutes per cycle.
We therefore feel that our normal dental procedures can be carried out with minimal risk by the use of high-volume suction, rubber dam, surgical and FFP2 masks and, in aerosol generating procedures FFP3 masks as appropriate.
The vast majority of our patients are otherwise healthy without coronavirus infection and we are confident that we are able to 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.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
YOUR SAFETY
In addition, we have always taken great pride in the dental work we provide and the excellent service that goes with it. We have also implemented some additional changes to keep our staff and our patients as safe as possible during this difficult time.
Our cross infection measures were always at an excellent standard but we have now gone even further to ensure your safety.
Air purifiers (virus killers) in every room – scientifically proven to kill over 97% of airborne viruses immediately!
PPE (masks, visors, aprons, etc.)
Perspex screens at reception
Hand sanitizer stations before entering building and inside
Social distancing procedures when possible ( i.e. waiting)
Ongoing staff testing to ensure no-one has COVID-19
Increased disinfection of door handles etc
We hope things will return to normal eventually but in the meantime we have put in place procedures ,equipment and increased PPE to enable us to continue to provide urgent treatments as safely as possible, and look after the dental needs of our patients at this difficult time. If you have any concerns or queries please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Thanks!
FAQS
To request an appointment, please email us on info@cottageimplantclinic.co.uk or call the practice on 01793 855335
A member of staff will be in touch to arrange an appointment for you.
If you are a new patient please fill in the registration form.
If you, or anyone in your household/family, had a cough or temperature in between booking your appointment and the day of your appointment, please telephone us to re-arrange it.
If you have symptoms in the last 2 weeks, PLEASE do let our team know at the time of booking and we will arrange a date safe for us all.
If you, or anyone in your household/family, had a cough or temperature in between booking your appointment and the day of your appointment, please telephone us to re-arrange it.
If you have symptoms in the last 2 weeks, PLEASE do let our team know at the time of booking and we will arrange a date safe for us all.
On arrival to the clinic, your temperature will be taken.
On the day of your appointment, we urge you to comply with the following:
- Please arrive only 5 minutes before your appointment.
- We kindly request you to come in on your own. In case you do need to bring in a chaperone on the day please let our staff know while booking in the appointment.
- Maintain 2 meters distance while communicating with anyone in the clinic.
- Payment by card, 24 hours prior to appointment is highly recommended to ensure safety.
- If you suffer on any symptoms, please reschedule your appointment.
- To ensure the safety of our patients and staff, PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) will be provided to all staff.
- Your temperature will be taken at the door when you come in for your appointment.
- Social distancing is to be maintained at all times in clinic under strict guidelines.
- Deep cleaning of the clinic areas/room.
- Surgery
- Appointments will be scheduled over the phone or online only. There will be 30 minutes minimum turn around time for decontamination between appointments.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions regarding this policy or about your dental care at The Cottage Dental Clinic please do not hesitate to contact us on info@cottageimplantclinic.co.uk or fill the following form:
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