Covid 19
Dear patient
We would like to reassure you that in these difficult times we continue to be here for you and remain as committed as ever to the wellbeing and safety of you all.
The latest government guidance is that there should be no Face to Face consultation other than in selected treatment hubs. With this in mind we are asking our patients who are experiencing a dental problem to call the local private on call dentist on 01904 783194.
Anyone demonstrating symptoms of the virus or having been in contact with a confirmed case within the last 2 weeks and having a dental problem should call 111 as care is available.
Most of you won’t know that the practice is already a member of the local private emergency on call team which provides out of hours cover 365 days a year. The service is now operating weekdays 9-5 and 6-8 and weekends 9-12.
The local private On Call Dentist will provide a telephone consultation and advise you on how best to proceed further. We are triaging patients in this way to avoid excess numbers of patients accessing 111 or NHS 24.
In these difficult times emergency care is restricted to:
Severe dental pain, not responding to usual pain relief.
A worsening swelling with or without pain extending to the eye or neck.
Pain or swelling resulting in an elevated temperature and or fever.
Fractured tooth causing pain not responding to pain relief
Uncontrolled Bleeding following a dental extraction or trauma
Advice can be given on other problems such as lost fillings or crowns.
If a patient develops any of the following symptoms they must attend A and E immediately:
Facial swelling affecting vision or breathing
Trauma causing loss of consciousness or double vision.
We would direct you to the following link which gives some great advice
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wT8PwT3gNHGkRzTohwfjHVTLj6gcobiy?usp=sharing
If you are a Practice Plan patient, please do not cancel your plan it as will be paid for 12 months should you be made redundant. They will also pay out on emergency treatment should you need it. We will also ensure that you get all of the appointments that are due to you on your plan be it 3 or 6 months so you won’t be out of pocket.
We are issuing regular updates on Facebook, so please check in and feel free to make any suggestions you feel might be helpful. The phone line will be updated regularly.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for being such lovely and well behaved patients. Keep up with your regular brushing and especially inter-dentalling! We can supply high fluoride toothpaste to those we have already prescribed it to. Leave a message on the practice number 01347 878111.
Because of all our efforts most of you are in a position of having well controlled oral health and your need for emergency treatment should be low.
Make sure you access all the care and help that is out there do not venture out unless ABSOLUTELY necessary, together we can beat this. We will be in touch with you as soon as we are permitted to re-open and it is deemed safe to start providing treatment.
STAY SAFE AND ISOLATE
Very best wishes
Christine and Jan at Howardian Dental.