Hallcraig Dental Care Airdrie Scotland
COVID-19 Patient Information
This policy has been created using updated sources from within the dental, medical professions and the information given by Scottish 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. It is not known at this time whether these procedures are temporary or whether they will become a permanent feature of the way dental practices must be run to ensure patient and staff safety in the future. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic is still being evaluated and studied and policies and recommendations are likely to change in line with new scientific evidence over time. We would like to thank all of our patients for their patience and forbearance during the period of temporary practice closure and for their understanding and cooperation whilst we implement new measures at the practice. We will of course be providing dental care to all of our patients in the safest possible environment. We greatly appreciate your assistance with any new or modified procedures at the practice.
Timetable
It is our intention for the practice to re-open to patients on Monday 22nd June. Our team has been working hard behind the scenes to prepare the practice for reopening and have updated our policies and protocols to ensure your safety is paramount.
Initially in phase 2 we will only be allowed to see Patients with emergency problems or other dental problems that require urgent assessment and treatment.
Then in phase 3 we intend to prioritise patients who were due for routine examinations and hygienist visits during the period of closure. We at the moment do not have a time frame of when this will be but will be keeping patients updated on this once we have been informed.
And finally, once we have been advised it is safe to do so we will prioritise the following patient groups: - Patients with treatment that was incomplete before the practice was temporarily closed or patients who need urgent work carried out that have been in pain during the time the practice was temporarily closed.
Patient Communication Before Re-opening
We will be posting on our website and social media all information in relation to dates of reopening.
In phase 2 we will only be treating emergency patients. While we are in phase 2 this will mean the patient will call the practice where reception team will triage the call and book them in an appointment. Once triage is complete, we will send a link via text or email (or do over phone of you do not have access to text or email) to complete Medical history and COVID-19 screening. All forms will now be completed in electronic format. We will also ask you to complete a risk assessment form that will allow us to assess your level of risk for coronavirus infection before you attend the surgery.
New Measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19
Transmission: Our normal cross-infection control protocols at Hallcraig Dental Care 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 evaluated all of the updated guidance and observed what measures have been put in place in other countries. We feel that the measures that 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 Attending the Practice
We will carry out a pre-attendance Medical History check and COVID 19 screening check either via text or email link or our Reception team will do this on the phone . If you have any difficulties with completing the forms via link our team are happy to help.
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 two weeks.
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 visit the following website https://www.nhs.uk or ask any member of our team for guidance.
When travelling to the practice, we would recommend that you limit close contact with other members of the public as far as possible.
Please arrive no more than five minutes before your scheduled appointment. If you are travelling by car we would be grateful if you could wait in your car and call the practice on 01236 749756 to confirm your arrival. Please wait outside the practice until a member of staff calls you in.
We ask that you use the toilet before attending the practice as our toilet facilities will not be available to use.
We also request that you bring as few belongings as possible with you on the day.
Arriving at the Practice
A member of staff will meet all patients on arrival the building. All belongings will be asked to be placed in a box and left at reception desk. Doors to the practice will always be locked, however, we accept no responsibility for any damaged, lost or stolen items while in the practice. One adult can attend with a child and one carer can attend with a patient who requires assistance; please do not bring additional family members with you unless they are happy to wait in the car or outside 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.
Please do your best to ensure that you do not need to use the bathroom while in attendance at the practice. If you need to use the toilet facilities please ask a member of staff for assistance. Please leave the toilets 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 all the following before or during your appointment.
- Thoroughly wash your hands for 30 seconds with the antiseptic hand wash provided in the surgery.
- Use the hand sanitiser
- 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
Hallcraig Dental Care 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 may find that the practice may appear to be quite bare when you attend.
All clinical and common areas including door handles and surfaces will be regularly disinfected in addition to our normal surface cleaning protocols between patients.
We 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.
Hallcraig Dental care will be operating contactless or card only payment systems going forwards, and we will request that payment is made using a credit or debit card.
Dental PPE
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 PPE may make us appear impersonal and distant, please be assured we are still the same friendly team underneath it all!
