COVID-19 Update
15th July 2020Dear Patients,
We are looking forward to get back to work and see everyone and we hope that you are well. A lot has changed since we saw you last and we are all still coming to grips with the COVID-19 pandemic and its’ effects.
We want to update you on our efforts in planning for a measured re-opening, and the steps we are taking to ensure we do everything possible to keep our patients and our team healthy.
The prime minster has announced that routine dentistry may restart on a phased return on the 8th of June 2020. During the pandemic we have been liaising closely with the relevant authorities including the British Dental Association, British Orthodontic Society, Care Quality Commission and Chief Dental Officer’s office to monitor the continually changing situation. Unfortunately the Chief dental officer only published the updated standard operating procedure yesterday outlining how we can work going forwards. This does not give us enough time to implement these and ensure all the staff are fully trained and to that end we are planning to reopen on the 15th of June 2020.
We will be following rigorous triage and scheduling protocols and office measures to ensure the safety and well-being of you, our patients, and the team members at Orthoclinque.
We ask for your patience. We had to cancel over 2800 appointments, and we know that there is a strong desire to get your treatment back on track as soon as possible.
We will eventually, but it will take time before we are allowed to practice as we used to. Due to the restrictions and extra procedures being placed we will have to be very firm in our processes to benefit everyone. These have been well thought out and reviewed and are in keeping with national guidance.
We have already begun rescheduling patients on a need basis, which is fair, efficient, and will serve everyone with getting back on track. Our practice procedures have temporarily changed and will include the following:
Appointments:
Please wait for our practice to call you to reschedule your appointments. We have a very accurate and comprehensive list of every appointment that was cancelled.The staff will contact you directly to organise the appointment and it is imperative for us to have an up to date mobile phone number and email addressPlease complete the online medical and dental questionnaire before the appointment as we cannot confirm the appointments until we have assessed these to ascertain the Covid risk.Emergencies will continue only to be defined by pain or bleeding. For now, broken brackets do not constitute an emergency and we will continue to provide phone triage and advice for this.There will be a limit to the number of patient appointments per day, roughly half of the regular appointment load.All recall, retainer check and new patient appointments will be rescheduled in due course when we are back in our regular routine.The current advice is to limit certain aerosol producing procedures to limit spread of the virus. As a result there may be a delay until we can carry out certain procedures such as bond ups (fitting of braces) and debonds (removal of braces) that are known to produce aerosols.Visits:
When you arrive for your appointment, please stay in your car or outside the practice maintaining social distance. The front door will remain locked. Please come to the door 2 minutes before your appointment time.Only the patient that is being treated will be allowed to enter the practice. The only exception for this will be for very young/anxious patients. Of those, only one parent/caregiver may accompany the patient. Absolutely no other family members or friends will be allowed inside.Please bring your own face covering and wear it to your appointment. Government guidelines for social distancing and wearing face coverings inside buildings continue. We cannot provide masks so if you do not have face covering, you may not be allowed into the practice.You will be required to sanitise your hands with the alcohol gel at the entranceStaff using a touchless thermometer will take your temperature. If your temperature is over 37.8 degrees C, you will be asked to leave and not return for the specified 14-day self-quarantine period.You will be asked questions assessing your contacts, travel, and well-being. Any question indicating recent exposure to someone with COVID-19 or having signs and symptoms of the same will be asked to leave, and not return for the specified 14-day self-quarantine period.Please do not bring any extra belongings into the practice and keep your phones in your pockets or a plastic bag.Maintain the 2 metre social distancing guidelines when in the practice until seated in the treatment chair. Whilst in the waiting area please be seated on the marked chairsOnly the patient will be allowed into the clinical area and parent/guardian will have to wait in the waiting area to limit potential exposureThe patient toilet will be closed, so please prepare for that before arrival.We ask for understanding while we will try to address all of your treatment needs during your visit due to strict scheduling times. Individuals with broken brackets may not have these repaired due to the risk of aerosols and will be rebooked for separate appointment in the future.Please don’t be perturbed by the clinicians wearing full PPE and this will make conversation difficult and we are grateful for your understanding.We ask you to leave the practice straight after your appointment and a member of the team will be in touch in due course to book your next appointment. Please don’t go to the reception desk to do this.We will contact you closer to when you are next due to book the appointmentDue to the restricted scheduling we will not be able to see you if you arrive late and your appointment will be rebooked.Team :
We will take the temperatures of every team member, including the orthodontists immediately upon arrival at work, and after lunch. Any team member at 37.8 degrees C or above will go home.Every team member will answer the health questionnaire that our patients are required to answer, and will do so every day. If any questions disqualify the team member, they will be sent home in the same way as our patients.The team will follow strict donning and doffing procedures to protect the well being of our patients and themselves.We have had to make these changes made to ensure the health and well-being of our patients and our team. We are taking your safety VERY seriously and we would ask for your patience and understanding. We appreciate that your treatment progress has been delayed, as has your estimated completion time. We wish that were not the case, but we are confident that we will get back on track to progress your treatment.
Yours Sincerely,
The Team at Orthoclinique
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