Oral Health Foundation - Keeping you safe and comfortable during your visit to the dentist
The Oral Health Foundation have produced a poster on changes to the way dentists will operate in light of COVID-19. NHS England have also produced a stakeholder briefing to explain the re-opening of some dental services from 8th June 2020.
The poster highlights what it will be like for patients to help you feel safe and comfortable attending your dentist. These include:
- Before arriving at your appointment
- Waiting for your appointment upon arrival
- Changes you can expect whilst in your appointment
- Changes when you leave your appointment (payment procedures etc...)
NHS England and NHS Improvement have also provided an update which you can view below. This details how the NHS are supporting dental services in re-opening some services to the public in the North East and Yorkshire from 8th June 2020.
It also outlines the following key points for the public:
- Dental practices will look different as they will be operating in a way that observes COVID-19 social distancing and hygiene rules, as part of measures taken to ensure the safety patients and the dental team alike.
- Whilst we are observing social distancing, patients should continue to telephone or email their practice, rather than attending in person without an appointment.
- If you have a regular dentist, you should call them as a first step. The dentist will assess your situation over the phone, including giving advice and, if needed, prescriptions for painkillers or antibiotics, or arranging treatment.
- If a patient does not have a regular dentist during the COVID-19 outbreak, they can still call any local dental practice as well as visiting 111.nhs.uk or call NHS 111 who will provide advice as appropriate.
- Out of hours for urgent dental issues the advice still remains to visit 111.nhs.uk or call NHS 111. Patients should not be visiting A&E departments or GPs with dental problems.
For further information, please contact NHS England and NHS Improvement by emailing ENGLAND.DentalCNE@nhs.net or ENGLAND.YHdentalreturns@nhs.net.
