Coronavirus – 2 / 10 / 2020

2 October 2020 Covid 19 update 2/10/2020

Dear Patient,

We have been working very hard to provide care to the patients most in need.

The extra precautions required to protect staff and patients, have been refined and are now our new normal. The staff and dentists have done and continue to do outstanding work under very difficult circumstances.

NHS Treatment

There are currently recommendations for NHS dentistry, which include giving access to patients with dental emergencies who are not regular patients at the practice. This, together with the extra time that we require for safe care, has meant that routine NHS care has been limited. We assess the needs of patients remotely and arrange treatment for those that are most in need. Treatments that generate an aerosol such as traditional drilling, require additional precautions and we have had to allow an hour after treatment with the surgery left empty after such treatment before the staff can enter to thoroughly clean.

Private Treatment

We are returning to providing regular care to our existing private patients although there is a cost adjustment to reflect the extra time an appointment requires. The practice has been undertaking much less private dentistry than in the past. We aim to restore some of this work, otherwise we will be forced to make cuts. Please contact the practice if you would like to discuss private care.

You will see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
• The practice will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. We will send you some paperwork to complete. You’ll be asked those same questions again at your appointment
• We have hand sanitiser that we will ask you to use when you enter the practice. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the practice for you to use as needed.
• We no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.

How you can help:
• With the exception of children and patients with carers, patients should come alone
• A distance of at least 2 metres must be observed if another patient is present in the dental practice
• Payment should be made by card where possible
• Staff will not shake your hand
• If you show symptoms following appointment booking, you should contact the practice by phone
• Please arrive a few minutes early at the practice. Please let reception know you have arrived by tapping on the side window, you will probably be asked to wait in your car.
• Please do not arrive without an appointment
• Patients should come wearing a mask if possible or be prepared to wear one.

We thank you for your patience at this very difficult time.

If you need to call us, please call between 9:00 am and 5:00pm Monday-Friday on 07419832628 or the surgery on 01604 706887

Thank You

Geraint Evans, Anish Khatri and the Rowtree team