Post-lockdown – what to expect when you visit the dentist

Need dental treatment? Find out what to expect from a post-lockdown appointment.

Lots of people have delayed dental care due to the pandemic.

In fact – according to the British Dental Association – approximately 10 million appointments were cancelled due to the lockdown, and it could take months (or even years!) for practices to catch up.

But we’re now open for business and ready to tackle the backlog. And although you may feel a little apprehensive about visiting us, rest assured, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. We’re doing everything we can to minimise the risks and ensure our surgery is COVID-19 secure.

Here we explore what to expect from your first post-lockdown visit.

We are now ready to open our doors and return to a new safe normal ⁣😁⁣We had @vaxinol_uk come to our practice to disinfect all of the premises. ⁣⁣Kiln Lane Dental is free from bacteria, viruses and other harmful pathogens! 🦠⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Posted by Kiln Lane Dental on Thursday, July 2, 2020

 

Before your visit

Pre-screening is now essential.

Before you can make an appointment, you will need to answer a few questions about your health and the health of the people in your household and support bubble. These include:

 

1. Do you or anyone in your household/support bubble have any signs of COVID-19?

2. If you have had signs of COVID-19, are you still in the self/household isolation period?

3. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, are you still in the self/household isolation period?

4. If you’ve been contacted by NHS Test and Trace, are you still in the self-isolation period?

5. If you have returned to the UK in the last 14 days, are you required to self-isolate?

 

Patients who are displaying any signs or symptoms of the virus will not be allowed to visit the practice. Therefore, if you answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions listed above, you will be regarded as a ‘suspected/confirmed COVID-19 positive patient’ and will not be given an appointment. Advice can only be provided over the phone or you may be referred to an Urgent Dental Care Site.

If you answer ‘no’ to all of the above, you will be regarded as a ‘non-COVID patient’ and can make an appointment. Both AGPs (aerosol-generating procedures) – such as drilling, scaling, polishing of teeth etc. – and non-AGPs are now available.

 

When you arrive

On the day of your appointment, please arrive no earlier than five minutes before your appointment. You should also come alone, as nobody else will be permitted to enter the building, and we’ll ask you sanitise your hands upon arrival.

The practice will look slightly different.

For example, to allow for social distancing, most chairs have been removed from the waiting area. Appointments are also scheduled in such a way to help minimise the number of patients in the practice at any one time. Cleaning is completed regularly. But unnecessary items that are difficult to disinfect (e.g. toys, magazines) have also been removed and hand sanitisation stations can be found throughout.

Ultimately, our goal is to make you feel as safe and comfortable as possible.

socially distanced waiting room at Kiln Lane Dental

 

The appointment itself

You’ll also notice a few changes inside the treatment room.

Again, all non-essential items will have been removed and the dental care team will be wearing additional PPE (protective personal equipment). This will include a mask (with a filtering respirator for AGPs), a face shield, eye protection, gloves, and a long-sleeved fluid repellent gown.

The treatment room will be well-ventilated and disinfected thoroughly between patients. However, during your dental treatment, the door must remain shut at all times. We only ever use sterile equipment. And, to reduce the risk of droplet contamination, high-speed suction will be used to clear your mouth (rather than rinsing it in the dental sink) and a rubber dam may be necessary.

 

On your way out

If possible, pay for your dental treatment using a contactless card. This is by far the safest option. It’s also a good idea to bring your own pen to sign any paperwork. All information and instruction documents regarding your dental treatment will be text or emailed to you.

Last but not least, remember to sanitise your hands as you leave.

 

Scheduled dental treatment post-lockdown

 

Book your post-lockdown appointment today

As dental professionals, we’re highly trained in infection control measures. We’ve followed and enforced strict cleaning protocols since the day we first opened. But, due to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19, we’re taking these protocols and measures even further.

If you had to delay dental care due to lockdown, now is the time to get in touch.

Your dental health is crucial to your overall health, and there’s absolutely no need to put off your visit for any longer. We’re even extending our opening hours to help with the backlog. So why not give us a call on 01744 25776 and take the first step towards your post-lockdown appointment?

We’re safe, secure and ready to provide your dental treatments.