Update 1/11/2021
Having been continually open and working safely since our return on 9th June 2020, all the stringent measures we had in place last year are still in effect to maintain the safety of our wonderful patients and team.
These measures include a closed door policy, online check in, screening every patient before they enter the building, temperature checks, air purifiers in all 3 surgeries, additional PPE and our exceptionally high standards in cross infection control. The entire team have received both vaccination doses and all should have received the booster dose before the end of November.
We continue to follow the guidance to ensure we deliver high quality dentistry in as safe an environment as is possible.
Update 7/6/2020
Following guidance changes from our governing bodies, we will resume face-to-face appointments on Tuesday 9th June, 2020, when a phased opening of Cliftonville Dental will begin.
Over the coming days and weeks, we will be in contact with patients who are mid way through treatments and those that have had dental emergencies during the last 10 weeks. As we move forward, we will be returning to routine care.
Over the last few weeks we have been busy behind the scenes, preparing the practice for our return. The changes we have made are based on the very latest guidance from within the dental and medical professional bodies including from the Chief Dental Officer of England, the British Dental Association and the Royal College of Surgeons.
When you book an appointment or attend the practice, you will observe some procedures have changed, however one thing has remained the same, our commitment to your dental health and personal safety.
At this point in time, it is not known whether these procedures are temporary or whether they will become the ‘new normal’. We will continue to update our working protocols as guidance evolves.
BEFORE YOU ATTEND THE PRACTICE
- Our reception team will contact you the day before your appointment, asking you to complete your medical history details and asking specific questions related to COVID-19. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have related symptoms or are self isolating (even if you are asymptomatic),we will respectfully request for you to delay booking any appointments with us for at least two weeks.
- Please be patient with us as we will need to ask the same questions again when you arrive at the practice.
- To reduce your time in the practice and interaction with non-clinical staff members, we would kindly ask that, where possible, payment for any treatment is made prior to your appointment. The reception team will request this when they telephone you. We do realise that early payment may be a little off-putting, but this reduces the need for unnecessary contact or use of pin entries on the card machine
- We will request that you brush your teeth and attend the toilet before you leave your home as the practice toilets will not be in use.
- We shall ask you to attend five minutes before your appointment time and not too early. Please attend alone unless you require a carer or the patient is a child.
- We will also ask that personal items such as bags and coats etc are kept in the car and not brought in to the practice. This is to reduce cross contamination. Any personal belongings brought into the practice will be stored in a box during your appointment.
- The appointment book has been restructured to ensure appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That may mean fewer options for scheduling your appointments
- We shall have appointments specifically available for any of our patients in the high-risk group.To find out whether you are in a high risk group please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/
ON THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT
- Our aim is to eliminate waiting inside at reception and so appointments will be staggered so that patients do not arrive or leave the building at the same time as other patients, as far as we are able to manage.
- When you attend the practice, we ask that you ring us from your mobile phone to let us know you have arrived and we will instruct you to come to the front door of the practice, where you will be welcomed by one of the reception team. Please remain in your vehicle until instructed.
- For anyone arriving on foot, please avoid standing near the front door, allowing for social distancing for anyone exiting the building.The door will be locked as visits are strictly by appointment only and any enquiries will have to be via telephone or email.
- The member of the reception team will ask you if there has been any change to your medical history or COVID-19 status, since the appointment confirmation phone call.
- If you do not feel well, the receptionist will take your temperature using a touchless infrared thermometer. If your temperature is above 37.8C you will be unable to be treated and will be asked to return home and may need to self isolate as per government guidelines.
- Upon entering the practice you will be requested to use the hand sanitiser provided.
- The receptionist will then escort you straight to the treatment room.
- Along the way you may notice some changes around the practice such as the Perspex screen placed at the reception desk and various information posters; these are to ensure safety for both patients and staff. Staff and patients will respect social distancing in non- clinical areas.
- Unfortunately, we will no longer be providing water from the water cooler, teas or coffees.
ENTERING THE TREATMENT ROOM
- Upon entering the treatment room, the standard appearance of the dentist and nurse may change, depending on the treatment required.
- We are sure the term PPE (personal protective equipment) is something you will be familiar with these days and items such as gowns, masks, visors and hats will be worn by the clinical team, depending on the type of treatment. Specially fitted respirator masks that filter airborne particles will be worn by the clinical team for certain treatments to help protect both patients and themselves. Please be assured, it is still your caring, friendly team beneath the PPE paraphernalia, taking great care of you!
- Along with the PPE, we have invested in air purification machines for each of the treatment rooms.This system uses technology to eliminate contaminants in the room, quickly and effectively.
- Once the appointment has been completed and before you leave the treatment room, the nurse will offer you hand sanitiser to use.
- To minimise face-to-face interaction with reception staff and other patients, the reception team will be in touch with you by email or telephone, to arrange any further appointments and to answer any questions you may have.
We hope that you found the above information useful and of reassurance of our commitment to your safety. We really appreciate your continuing support and understanding in implementing these new and modified procedures at the practice.
The Cliftonville Dental team are looking forward to welcoming you back to the practice very soon.
Update 28/4/2020
The suspension of dental treatments throughout the UK has still not been lifted and we can fully appreciate that this isn’t an ideal situation for many patients, especially those who are in the middle of treatments and for those that have discomfort.
Please like our Facebook page, where we will be posting further updates. You may have seen a short video our team posted on Facebook but if you haven’t, this is the link
Please be assured that we will be returning as soon as we are allowed to do so. All the team at Cliftonville Dental hope you and your loved ones stay safe during this time.
23/3/2020
Following recent guidance from the Chief Dental Officer of England and The British Dental Association, we have been advised to temporarily postpone all dental procedures. We are constantly tracking the situation and will notify you as soon as there are further announcements.
We understand that there are many patients in the middle of treatment plans and please be assured that the treatments will all be carried out and completed when we are given the go ahead.
As a dental team, we have always taken great pride in providing the best care to our patients and so all feel frustrated that we are unable to currently do so. However, we also appreciate that the guidance that has been given to us are for genuine reasons and the bigger picture is the overall safety of the dental team and patients from COVID-19.
These are unprecedented times and we are hopeful that the practice will return to providing the service we always have in the very near future.
For any enquiries from present or potential new patients, please email enquiries@cliftonvilledental.co.uk and we will try to respond within 24 hours.
Please take care.