“SMILES” A National Smile Month Poem by Lily

Updated - May 2022

Although general COVID-19 restrictions have now been lifted, there are different considerations in place for healthcare settings.

The dental practice is a unique environment in which the majority of treatments we carry out generate an aerosol, which is how COVID-19 and other respiratory infections can spread.

How can we limit the spread of infection in the Dental Practice?

1. Keep the air moving rapidly. We have put air exchange systems in all our treatment rooms in order to ensure the aerosol can be cleared more quickly.
2. Maintain our Personal Protective Equipment and Infection control procedures. We are continuing to follow the latest guidelines from the government on PPE and infection prevention and control.
3. Continuing to wear masks in both patient and staff areas.

Advice for Patients

Practices are using personal protective equipment including masks to keep staff and patients safe.

• When you attend your appointment, you will be asked some screening questions.
• You will probably be asked to use hand sanitiser or to wash your hands when you arrive (and again before you leave)
• You will also be asked to wear a mask in the waiting rooms if you can

There may be a delay in you receiving treatment.

The reason for the long waits is not all because of the backlog, but also because there’s a lot more disinfection of surgeries required after each treatment.

Calling the Practice

You no longer need to call us when you arrive. As you come in, please wear your own mask, and disinfect your hands with the gel provided. (If you have forgotten to bring one, a mask is available on entry).

Please make sure you keep your appointment if you have one. If you can’t make an appointment, your practice may be able to offer it to someone else who really needs it.

Please be assured that dental teams are working within the current guidelines issued by governments and are doing their best to help patients wherever possible.

Receptionists are also doing their best to ensure that priority cases are treated as soon as possible. Please treat all the staff with respect. We know it can be stressful, but they are doing their best to help.

How you can help:

• Please do not arrive without an appointment.
• With the exception of children and persons in need, patients should come alone.
• Patients should attend wearing a mask if possible or be prepared to wear one.
• Please do not arrive too early to the practice. If necessary, you may wait inside the practice.

As you would expect, your dental teams will be doing all they can to ensure you receive the treatment you require in the safest way.