Since June 2020 we have treated patients safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. As restrictions lift for the general population, we have reviewed the guidelines set out by governing bodies and our own stringent safety protocols, and have made some revisions.
However, as a medical setting we will continue with our enhanced cross-infection protocols due to Covid-19 even as we move out of the pandemic.
We will still work with enhanced PPE (personal protective equipment including FFP3 masks), virus filtration and a stringent infection control policy in place to protect our patients and team.
We would like to thank our patients for your understanding and assistance with our modified procedures to ensure we continue to provide dental care in the safest possible environment moving forwards.
We will carry out a pre-assessment of your current dental situation before booking an appointment for you, and if necessary a follow-up telephone conversation to assess relative coronavirus infection risk.
All new patients to Elmsleigh House will be sent a digital medical history form and a covid risk assessment to fill in and return before your appointment.
All existing patients should let the Welcome Team know if there are any changes to your medical history, and will be asked to confirm your Covid status on the phone or at the door before entering the clinic. A new signed medical history is required for every patient each year.
Our policy will remain that we do not see patients who have symptoms or have tested positive for Covid, or if any of their household has Covid or symptoms; we respectfully request your understanding.
We will maintain a locked door to maintain our flow of patients, and kindly ask to let us know when you have arrived by phone or knocking on the door. You might need to wait at the door for a short period of time should the reception team be dealing with other patients at that time.
Patients will be given a medical mask to wear while in the clinic and will be asked to sanitise your hands. We will ask you to sign and date the medical history form you provided online (if it requires updating) and sign a Covid status and consent form for your appointment.
Patients can wait in our waiting room, although patient numbers will be restricted to maintain distancing. Should a family member or friend be with you, we ask that they remain outside the clinic for the duration of your appointment unless there is a specific need (such as a parent or carer) for someone to attend with you. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking your appointment.
If needed, we have one restroom that is dedicated for patient use; please leave the facilities as you would expect to find them, and wash your hands thoroughly with warm water for 20 seconds following the guidelines shown. The restroom is disinfected between patients.
Once ready, your clinician will greet you potentially wearing additional PPE, and will take you to the surgery for your appointment.
You may be asked to use a bacterial and anti-viral mouthwash before any dental treatment, and rubber dam or other barrier mechanisms will be used for more procedures than previously.
Once your appointment is completed, one of our nursing team will take you to reception; if there are already two patients at the reception desk, we will ask you to wait just outside the reception area until the Welcome Team are ready to take payment. Payments can be made by debit card, MasterCard or Visa credit card (we currently do not accept cash payment, and do not accept American Express). Our card machine is disinfected between each patient, and also has a safety barrier placed over the keypad, which is then removed and replaced after each patient. Should you wish to pay by bank transfer, we can provide you with our bank details ahead of your appointment; please just ask the reception team.
You will receive your usual reminders to book in for regular dental check-ups and hygiene appointments using Airflow technology for a deeper clean (see below), as it is important to keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition and prevent problems developing.
We will continue with our enhanced cross-infection control protocols going forwards to minimise any viral transmission:
Additionally, patients can be reassured that:
We believe that for both team and patients’ continued safety, all of our aerosol-generating procedures will be carried out using enhanced PPE by the use of high-volume suction, rubber dam, surgical and FFP3 masks.
Our patients’ safety is paramount, and we are delighted with feedback that they value the care given:
“I felt wholly safe and comfortable with the new infection control systems in place. Everything was made easy and clear. I couldn’t have felt in a safer environment. Excellent safe and friendly team. Thank you!” Mrs H.
“I felt totally protected and would like to express my appreciation of all the measures that have obviously been put into place to keep us all, patients and staff alike, safe. Thank you all; keep safe and well” Mrs C.
“I would like to thank Hugh and Meena for their outstanding level of care, patience, kindness and understanding they gave me during surgery. The surgery is immaculate, and all Covid precautions are in place and strictly adhered to. I would also like to thank Georgie who contacted me and kept me informed via telephone and email communications. I highly recommend Elmsleigh House Dental Clinic” Miss S.
