Coronavirus Patient Update - 23rd March 2020
To all of our patients at Pont Steffan Dental
We hope you are all keeping well and staying safe during this time.
Given the current situation regarding Coronavirus, the Chief Dental Officer of Wales and Welsh Government has implemented a Red Dental Alert to all dental practices in Wales. We would like to take this opportunity to inform you that all routine appointments are now being cancelled until further notice. This is so we can play our part in helping to minimise the risk of infection to our staff, patients and the rest of the community.
PLEASE do not ‘pop in’ to the practice during this time without prior arrangement.
As of Monday 23rd March 2020 we will only be seeing severe dental emergencies. Looking after our patients is our top priority, and so we will be operating an Emergency Telephone Consultation service. This means if you have any urgent pain or swelling, just give us a call on 01570 422595 and follow the instructions on the recorded message.
However, we want you to know that we will still have staff available to provide you with additional non-urgent advice via email and phone, should you have any worries.
How Much?
- If you are on a Denplan Plan with us - There is no charge for an emergency appointment during this time, this will include emergency treatment.
- If you are a Fee Per Item Registered Patient - There is a £95 Flat Fee, this includes emergency treatment.
If you are attending a pre-arranged emergency appointment, you will notice on arrival that our door is locked. This is to protect our staff from anyone who hasn’t been screened from attending the practice. Once a member of staff has let you in, we ask that you use our hand sanitiser and take a seat. Please DO NOT remove any dentures or place your fingers in your mouth as this could spread the virus.
If you suspect you have any symptoms of COVID-19, and require urgent dental treatment you can still contact us. Arrangements have been put in place for you to have urgent care with the local Community Dental Clinic.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and support during this time. We will endeavour to keep you up to date as and when further information becomes available.
From all of us at Pont Steffan Dental
Update - 19th March 2020
At present we are continuing to operate under the previous guidance of the Welsh Government's 'Amber Dental Alert' (see below), under additional guidance issued by the Wales Deanery we are also implementing the following:
Only taking Xrays where absolutely nescessary
Using full face visors in surgery for all patients
Having two dental nurses when conducting dental treatments, this is to maximise cross infection procedures
Asking each patient to use a hydrogen peroxyl mouth wash before their appointment
Allocating an additional 30 minutes for emergency appointments
We have removed some waiting room chairs to aid Social Distancing
Asking patients attending the practice, to only bring themselves where possible
Coronavirus Patient Update - 17th March 2020
The Welsh Government has implemented an ‘Amber Dental Alert’ to all dental practices in Wales. This means:
We will contact all patients by telephone prior to their upcoming appointments in order to assess:
- If they, or anyone in their household have any symptoms of Coronavirus
- If they are in self-isolation
- If they are in a vulnerable risk group (see below)
We will be cancelling all routine appointments (non-emergency) for vulnerable risk groups, these are as follows:
- Over 70 years old
- Pregnant Women
- Health Issues
Hygiene appointments are still continuing for patients not in a risk group. However, hygienists will be using hand scalers only
We will be cancelling all routine aerosol generating procedures (i.e. fillings, crowns, root canals etc)
If you have a dental emergency, but have any signs or symptoms of Coronavirus or are self-isolating please call 0845 46 47. Do not come to the practice
What We Are Doing?
We would like to reassure our patients that we are following guidance set out by Public Health Wales and HIW, but additionally to help minimise the spread we are also:
Asking patients not to attend the practice without a prior appointment
Directing patients where to sit when they enter for appointments
Keeping the inner practice door locked in order to regulate visitor entry
Asking ALL members of the public that enter the practice to use the hand sanitiser on reception
Continuing to follow the high standards of cross infection as well as the use of relevant PPE
Wiping surgery door handles after every patient in addition to our current cross infection control measures
Reception staff wiping down iPads, handles, rails, waiting room chairs and card machine etc.
Removing magazines from reception
As of 12th March 2020 the guidance says that if you have a new cough and/or a high temperature, please do not attend the practice. Instead, give our reception team a call on 01570 422595 and they will rearrange your appointment.
More Information
For more information regarding Coronavirus COVID-19, or if you are unsure if you should attend the practice, please see the following links or contact us:
NHS Website
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
.gov.uk Website
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
Public Health Wales
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/