Dear patients,
I hope you are well and you and your families have been coping throughout these unprecedented times.
We are pleased to inform you that in line with current government guidelines The Smile Team will be opening its doors again very soon
We have been working hard as a team over the past few weeks to update our procedures in order to ensure the utmost safety for patients as well as staff when we re-open. We would like to reassure you that we at The Smile Team have always prided ourselves on keeping up to date with all methods of cleanliness and sterility. Our dental practice is an extremely clean environment and even prior to this pandemic our infection control measures were of a very high standard. The concept of PPE is not new in dentistry and the wearing of gloves and masks has been our protocol for many years. We are following advice from NHS England to introduce further safety and protective methods. Please be reassured that all our staff will be complying with updated procedures to reduce the risk of cross infection in both directions.
In order to reduce the risk of cross infection and maintain the safety of our patients and staff, we will be able to see fewer patients each day and have therefore had to prioritise as follows
If you are in any of these categories , our dentists or staff will be contacting you over the next couple of weeks, to discuss your treatment and book your appointment. Please be aware we are currently limited by regulations of what treatments we are permitted to carry out. There will be various forms and procedures to be completed online ahead of your appointment, and this will be explained to you in greater detail at the time of booking
All other bookings will be open in due course – please check our website for updates
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Patient procedures:
Please do not attend if you or anyone in your household has or has had Covid symptons in the 14 days prior to your appointment. If this occurs between the time of booking and the date of your appointment please inform us and we will re schedule your appointment
In order to minimise the face to face contact during your appointment , all patients will be triaged prior to their appointment which will include forms sent by email. These will need to be signed and returned before the appointment. This ensures that there is no contact required in the surgery or waiting room.
In order to reduce the number of people in the surgery, you will be asked to wait in the car or outside the practice at your appointment time, and you will be asked not to bring anyone else with you unless it is a parent or carer.
If you are travelling by public transport it is imperative you wear a mask and gloves on your journey.
When the dentist is ready for you, you will be greeted at the door by a member of staff, ( wearing appropriate PPE) who will take your temperature ( using a non contact thermometer) and you will be given hand sanitiser to use. Any patient who has symptoms or a high temperature will be asked not to enter the surgery in order to minimise infection risk. If you are well, you will be escorted at a safe distance to the surgery where the dentist will be waiting for you
In order to maintain the sterile environment within the surgery, any belongings you have with you ( which we would ask be kept to a minimum) will be locked in a secure locker downstairs and not be brought into the surgery
Please note the waiting room and toilets will NOT be in use for the time being
During your appointment the dentist and nurse will be wearing extra PPE and will complete your treatment under government guidelines.
Payments should be made before attending the surgery to avoid any contact in the waiting room
On behalf of all our team, we thank you for your patience and understanding – these are unprecedented times and please rest assured our main concern is to continue to offer you peace of mind in offering you safe and caring dental treatment of the highest standard
Take care and stay safe
COLIN GAUNT and THE SMILE TEAM
