Our practice follows infection control recommendations made by the British Dental Association (BDA), NHS England (NHSE), Care Quality Commission (CQC) and General Dental Council (GDC). We follow the activities of these organisations so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each organisations’ recommendations.

 

As many of you may know, the UK Government and the Chief Dental Officer of England announced the “Resumption of Dental Services” yesterday, 28 May 2020. This stated:

 

“Today, we are asking that all dental practices commence opening from Monday 8 June for all face to face care; where practices assess that they have the necessary infection prevention and control (IPC) and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements in place.

 

Our advice is that the sequencing and scheduling of patients for treatment as services resume should take into account:

 

· the urgency of needs

· the particular unmet needs of vulnerable groups

· available capacity to undertake activity

 

Progression to resumption of the full range of routine dental care will be risk-managed by the individual practice and can include aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), subject to following the necessary IPC and PPE requirements. Dental practices should also take steps to risk assess their workforce and take commensurate actions.”

 

This will mean over the next week we will keep you informed on the progression back to normal dentistry. We at the practice will update our appointment systems for the near future which may mean appointments are adjusted or moved to allow a safe environment for all our patients and staff. The practice team will contact you in time for this provision otherwise the booked appointments will remain as booked from your previous visit.

 

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

 

· Our practice will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the practice.

· We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the practice. You will also find some in the entrance and reception area and other places in the practice for you to use as needed.

· You may see that our waiting room will 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.

 

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our practice on 0116 271 0500, e-mail on info@briarmeadsdentalpractice.co.uk

 

Please bear with our over the next few week as we start to resume your dental care back to normality Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbours and friends.