COVID-19 reopening

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION

We are delighted and relieved to be able to announce that the Meadows Dental Clinic will reopen on Monday 22^nd June 2020 following our closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dentistry has been presented with unique challenges by COVID-19 due to the nature of this virus. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus (rather than a blood borne viruses such as HIV or HepB) and is present in the mouth and upper respiratory tract of infected (either clinically or sub clinically) individuals. Certain dental treatments – such as ultrasonic scaling and high-speed drills (which are cooled by atomised water) – result in a small localised aerosol of water, saliva, bacteria and viruses being generated for a short period. These are known as aerosol generating procedures.

In order to avoid transmission of COVID-19 and to allow dentistry to recommence – strict guidelines have been put in place by the governing bodies and will result in some changes which you will see on your visit to the Meadows Dental Clinic.

We have always taken the protection and prevention of cross infection of staff and patients very seriously at The Meadows Dental Clinic and  always invested in the most up to date washer disinfection and vacuum autoclaves units together with personal protection equipment (PPE) –  but due to COVID-19 the PPE requirement has been taken to new levels .

We are pleased to say that we have now sourced and purchased -from various companies – all the required quantities of FFP 1, 2 and 3 masks, disposable gowns, visors, head covers, and gloves required for us to reopen.

We have also taken a further step – invested in air circulating and purifying units for each surgery which will remove all viruses (including COVID-19) from the local atmosphere – ensuring that we have worked towards being a CLEAN AIR PRACTICE!

Radic8 VirusKiller Unit Installed

Although we have taken all the steps to make your visit as safe as possible we cannot completely eliminate the risk – and your attendance to Meadows Dental Clinic is based on this understanding .

The current changes in your appointment protocol are dictated by our governing bodies and will require the following:

• You will be asked to answer the following questions

• You will be advised to bring only essentials for the appointment i.e. no shopping bags etc.
• No chaperones will be allowed to enter the practice
• You will be asked to wear a face covering
• You will be asked to go to the bathroom before attending to reduce risk of patient toilet being used.
• When you arrive at the practice, please ring the bell and a member of staff will respond.
• You will be advised that the dentist and nurses will look different in their enhanced PPE
• You will be met at the door by the receptionist and asked to use hand sanitiser provided. If your skin condition does not permit this then you will be asked to wear gloves provided.
• You will be escorted into the surgery – if possible -without entering the waiting room
• After treatment you will again be escorted to the front door and hand sanitiser dispensed on departure

We have calculated the cost of each visit with purchase and disposal of enhanced PPE for dentist and nurse and we are asking for your understanding that a contribution (which does not cover total cost) of £10 for non-aerosol procedures (including examinations) and £30 for aerosol procedures be added to your account.

We are hopeful that this will only be a short-term change and that soon we will be able to return to “normal” – but current indications are that this will be the “new normal” for some time to come. We are aware that this will be different from any previous dental visit that you will have experienced but please understand that it will also be different, uncomfortable and difficult for all the staff as well! We will all be doing our best and look forward to welcoming you back to The Meadows Dental Clinic.

Best wishes to all

Dr Charlie Maran | Dr Krishnakant Bhatia