15/06/2020
You may have heard that steps are being made to reopen dental practices in Northern Ireland. At present we are still only able to offer advice and treatment to those patients in need of urgent care but we are hopeful that progress will be made with the phased lifting of current restrictions to allow us to offer non-urgent and routine care in the not too distant future.
We are all looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.
Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our surgery. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it's both safe and comfortable.
Our practice follows infection control guidelines made by the governing bodies. We are up-to-date on new guidance that has been issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to recommendations. We will always wear a mask, a face shield and disposable gown or apron in clinical areas and all team members will be health screened daily before commencing work.
We want to make you aware of some changes to the practice when you attend for your next appointment. We have made these changes to help protect our patients and staff.
1. Our practice will communicate with you beforehand to complete some screening questions and update your medical history. You will be asked these same questions again on arrival at the practice. We ask that you bring all completed paperwork that we have requested to your appointment and that you bring your own pen for completion of any essential paperwork in the practice.
2. Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you're offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
3. We ask that you do not attend the practice in person without an appointment. If you have a query, please contact the practice by telephone (02830833843) or by email (windsorhillortho@live.co.uk) instead.
4. We ask that you arrive on time for your scheduled appointment. You may be asked to wait outside or in your car if the orthodontist is not ready to see you. The waiting rooms will not be in use.
5. We will do our best to allow more time between patients to reduce any waiting times and the volume of people in the practice.
6. Where possible, we ask that patients attend the practice alone or with just one accompanying adult. Patients and any accompanying adult should come wearing a face covering or be prepared to wear one.
7. Patients and any accompanying adult will be asked to use hand sanitiser when entering and exiting the practice.
8. We have introduced directional floor markings and new signage to create a one-way flow through the practice with a separate entrance and exit. Protective screens have also been installed at reception.
9. A distance of at least 2 metres must be observed if another patient is present in the dental practice.
10. Information posters in relation to cough etiquette and hand hygiene will be on display.
11. Toilet facilities will be restricted within the practice and patients are discouraged from using them. We recommend that patients use the bathroom prior to attending the practice. However, please ask a member of the dental team to facilitate access if necessary.
12. Payments should be made by card where possible.
13. If you develop symptoms following appointment booking, you should contact the practice by phone.
14. Your next appointment may not be booked on the day and may instead be sent out to you. Please contact us if you need to change appointments.
The new guidelines and changes we have made mean that we will be seeing fewer patients per day so please be patient with us. We have a back-log of patients to see and will try to prioritise those in most need. We will endeavour to see all our patients as soon as current Department of Health restrictions allow. A member of our dental team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
Best Wishes,
Windsor Hill Orthodontic Clinic
