The world is currently in a state of distress over the spread of coronavirus. Whilst it is important to follow guidelines to limit it’s movement across the planet and to ensure it’s development isn’t accelerated, it is also important to keep calm and not let it cause levels of panic or hysteria.
This post has been put together to allow us to post information specific to dentistry, the operation of Marple dental practice and as a source of information provided by the government. Should advice or guidance change which impacts patients were will update it blog accordingly.
Coronovirus and Dentistry
Because dentistry is a frontline primary healthcare profession, we are already optimised for providing the highest level of decontaminaition and cleanliness with our sterilisation and disinfection procedures. This means we are able to operate as normal with the minimimum of risk of virus transmission.
This means that we are currently operating as normal with no changes to appointments or in surgery protocols
As a matter of precaution we have introduced an increased cleaning regime in any non clinical or communal areas including the use of hand sanitisers for patient’s and visitors entering the practice with an increased frequency of wiping down and decontamination of surfaces
At present our appointments are all operating as normal. The only change would come about if any member of our team was to require self isolation. This currently isn’t the case, but should this occur we will contact any patients who require their appointments to be moved or delayed accordingly.
We do ask that any patients who are experiencing any flu like symptoms to speak with the NHS for guidance on 111 for further information and if necessary to rearrange your appointments until you are feeling better
Should advice change, or the practice need to alter it’s routine we will post more information on our blog so please check back for more information.
General Advice from the department of health.
The advice for anyone in any setting is to follow these main guidelines.
- If you have been in contact with someone with coronavirus or have returned from an affected area identified by the Chief Medical Officer as high risk and you are feeling unwell with a cough, difficulty breathing or fever, stay at home and use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call NHS 111.
- Wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas where other people are doing so. Use hand sanitiser if that’s all you have access to.
- To reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue, and throw the tissue away immediately. Then wash your hands or use a hand sanitising gel.
- Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.
At the current time and based on our understanding of what is known of COVID-19 and other similar respiratory viruses, it is likely that older people and those with chronic medical conditions may be vulnerable to severe disease. As more information emerges, recommendations may change.