COVID-19 Patient Information (Updated 25.10.2020)
25 October 2020
Dear patient,
IMPORTANT: Before your appointment if you or any member of your household experience any of the following symptoms before your appointment please DO NOT attend your appointment, contact NHS 111 for advice and call our reception on 01323 723757 to re-book your appointment:
- A new, continuous cough,
- A high temperature (37.8C or over).
- Anosmia (a loss of or change in your normal sense of smell or taste).
Important changes due to COVID-19: As this is a face-to-face appointment, please wear a face covering at all times until seated in the dental chair. Please do not arrive at reception more than 5 minutes before your designated appointment time. Clinicians will be wearing full PPE for your and their safety and you will be screened prior to your entry where your temperature will also be checked. Please use the hand sanitiser provided.
If your treatment requires the inclusion of Aerosol Generating Procedures, then a PPE fee of £17 per session will be added to your treatment plan.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Yours sincerely,
The Team at Meads Village Dental Practice
29 May 2020
Dear patient,
the British Dental Association has issued the following update regarding re-opening of dental practices:
Dentists in England relieved to re-open but key questions remain
28 May 2020
The British Dental Association (BDA) has welcomed news the government has given the green light for the restoration of routine care services in England, but has cautioned that practices will need to move at different rates depending on availability and fitting of PPE, their ability to enact ongoing social distancing measures and time to implement appropriate cross-infection control.
NHS England and the Chief Dental Officer have now confirmed any practice that feels it is appropriately prepared can provide patient care from 8 June. This could see varying levels of treatments made available with immediate effect, with individual practitioners exercising their professional judgement on the pace of change.
The pace at which patient care can begin will be determined by a number of issues, such as stock levels of PPE. The availability of and ability to fit test ‘higher end’ PPE in particular may limit the universal restoration of a full range of dental care. The BDA has expressed the view that steps should be taken to integrate dentistry into the wider government strategy on PPE supply led by Lord Deighton.
Dentist leaders have also warned the whole business model that the service is based on could change unalterably upon reopening, with social distancing and cross-infection control reducing capacity and potentially access levels by as much as two thirds.
The BDA is continuing to press for the NHS contractual framework to reflect the new reality and for additional support for private dentistry, including a business rates holiday – already offered to leisure and retail sectors – to be expanded to dental practices, alongside other support to mitigate against reduced patient numbers.
BDA Chair Mick Armstrong said:
“A return of high street dentistry we will be welcome news to millions of patients left with few options during lockdown, but key questions remain.
“It is right to allow practices to decide themselves when they are ready to open. Dentists will be keen to start providing care as soon as safely possible, but we will need everyone to be patient as practices get up and running.
“Dentist can open their doors but won’t be able to provide a full range of care without the necessary kit. Longer term practices can only stay afloat with ongoing support, while social distancing continues and the costs of providing care are sky high.
“Opening the floodgates risks raising false expectations, unless government is willing to step up and help.”
Original Article: https://bda.org/news-centre/press-releases/Pages/Dentists-in-England-relieved-to-re-open-but-key-questions-remain.aspx
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In light of the above, Meads Village Dental Practice is set to open doors for patients on 15th June 2020 and resuming operations in July 2020. This will allow sufficient time to ensure that up-to-date measures are implemented in order to minimise the spread of Coronavirus. If your appointment was cancelled due to the lockdown — you will be contacted to book your visit. The phone line will be open on 15th June 2020. If you need to make an appointment, please call the practice on 01323 723757 prior to your visit. Further instructions regarding your appointment will be available over the phone and at the practice.
We look forward to seeing you!
The Dental Team at Meads Village Dental Practice
30 March 2020
Dear patient,
Due to coronavirus and the UK Government’s instruction the practice is now closed until further notice for all patients. For emergency appointments please contact Emergency Dental Service on 01323449170. If you are a Denplan patient please call 0800401402.
Stay safe and healthy
The Dental Team at Meads Village Dental Practice
23 March 2020
Dear patient,
Given the unprecedented situation in the UK regarding the COVID-19 virus I felt it was important to reassure you that we are continuing to keep our practice clean and safe for both you and our team.
You will appreciate that as a dental practice we work in an environment where the prevention of the spread of a whole range of infections is woven into everything that we do. Nevertheless, we are paying particular attention to the latest government guidance on the transmission of coronavirus.
Know the guidance
Before attending the practice for your next appointment, we would be grateful if you would review the most up to date government guidance – just click this link https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Keep us in the loop
Please remember to call us on 01323 723757 or email us on reception@meadsdental.com to let us know if you wish to reschedule any of your booked appointments. We would be happy to schedule an alternative date for you.
At your next appointment
Please use the hand sanitiser provided to you on entering and leaving the building.
You’ll notice that we’ve removed some non-essential items in the reception area including the magazines. They will return once this is all over!
As a team, we are doing everything we possibly can to remain fit, well and able to work so that we can continue to provide our usual high standard of dental care for you.
Thank you for your support in keeping everyone safe.
With best wishes,
The Dental Team at Meads Village Dental Practice
