18 Mar 2020

18/03/20

RE: COVID-19 pandemic

All patients who are booked in for appointments should be triaged, and any routine recalls (regardless of age, medical status) should be rearranged for later in the year.

We can only see patients that require treatment, are in severe pain or are in mid-treatment.

With the exception of patients that have been diagnosed with COVID-19, been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus within 14 days or if one person in any household has a persistent cough or fever. If you fall into this category then you must call 111.

The GMCA have subcategorised dental problems, considering the potential need to use aerosol generating procedures and whether this treatment can be postponed at the current time.

Routine Dental Problems – we are to provide self-help advice. Examples as follows:

  1. Mild or moderate pain, pain not associated with an urgent care condition and that responds to pain relief
  2. Minor dental trauma – such as banged primary tooth, bitten lip etc.
  3. Post extraction bleeding that patient is able to control
  4. Loose or displaced crowns
  5. Fractured loose fitting dentures
  6. Fractured posts
  7. Fractured fillings and/or teeth with mild or moderate pain
  8. Bleeding gums

Urgent Dental Problems – we are to provide self-help advice and treatment. Examples as follows:

  1. Dental and soft tissue infections without a systemic effect
  2. Severe dental and facial pain, pain that cannot be controlled
  3. Fractured teeth with pulpal exposure or severe pain

Dental Emergencies – requiring contact with a dentist and treated in a timescale appropriate to the severity of the problem. Examples as follows:

  1. Trauma including facial oral laceration / dental alveolar injury for example avulsion of a permanent tooth
  2. Facial swelling that is significant and worsening
  3. Post extraction bleeding that the patient is not able to control
  4. Dental condition resulting in acute systemic illness or raised temperature
  5. Severe trismus (lockjaw)
  6. Oro dental conditions likely to exacerbate medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer patients.

If we cancel your appointment, please try your best to rearrange your appointment or remember to get back in touch with us to rearrange your appointment. If you have not had a check-up (not including treatment appointments) within a 2 year period you will be de-registered.