COVID 19

Lockdown restrictions have been lifted as from April 2022. However, the risk of catching and spreading the virus is real, even for the vaccinated people. The new Omicron variants, BA.4 and BA.5 are even more transmissible. The severity of the symptoms can be affected by your vaccination status, history of prior infection, age and other health conditions. In order to reduce the risks of transmission within the dental practice, Standard Operation Procedure for infection control and prevention is in operation and we still need to adopt basically the same measures as during the lockdown. These are the wearing of face-covering and observing social distancing when come to the practice. In our practice, priority will be given to the patients who are in pain, and in need of urgent dental care.

There is no 'open door' policy. Appointment is scheduled and triaged strictly over the phone only, 3-4 days in advance. Please be patient and help us to provide a safer environment for the staff and patients.   

  1. If you wish to see a dentist, please phone us on Tel: 01506-671818 for an appointment. We cannot see or treat you without an appointment. You will be asked about your vaccination status, and any symptoms of fever, new persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, change in taste or smell, foreign travels and any contact with known cases of Covid-19. Please provide us with an accurate information to protect the safety of the patients, staff, and public.
  2. Patients will be triaged and managed according to their dental problems and Covid-19 status. Patient who has symptoms of Covid-19, self-isolating or tested positive (PCR) for Covid-19 will not be seen by us immediately in general dental practice. Treatment will be postponed.
  3. Please follow the latest government guidelines regarding Coronavirus.
  4. To prevent the spread of the virus, we should all follow the FACTS . It is the sum of our individual actions, our collective endeavour, that is suppressing the virus.

    FACTS:

    • Face coverings.

    • Avoid crowded places.

    • Clean hands regularly.

    • Two meter Social-distancing.

    • Self-isolate if you have symptoms.

  5. Updated SG guidance on accompanying patients to outpatient and primary care appointments has been published (COVID-19 Outpatient and Primary Care Consultation Principles). The update intends to make clear who can be accompanied to an appointment while observing the requirements for physical distancing.

    In general, patients should attend on their own. However, if thought essential, one dedicated person can attend with a patient. Examples of situations where this might be important include, but are not restricted to:

    • when a person is very young

    • when a person may have difficulty understanding what treatment or course of action a dentist is discussing

    • where a person has dementia, a learning disability or autism

    • where a person is receiving bad news or information that is potentially life-changing

    • where a person is receiving a cancer diagnosis or discussing cancer treatment options

    • where a person is in distressed or extremely anxious

    In addition, consideration should also be given as to whether a family member or supporting person can accompany the patient in the treatment room.
  6. More information on the Dental Services during the Covid-19 Pandemic is available on Scottish Dental or NHS inform.
  7. Please attend your given appointment promptly as you can understand that we cannot see you if you are LATE. This is because of the extra measures are put in place to clean and fallow the room to prevent cross-infection and transmission.
  8. We provided a few self-help information slides on our homepage. Please note that dental emergencies are pain, swelling, abscess, trauma, bleeding, oral ulceration, and infection with or without systemic symptoms. If in doubt, please phone us.
  9. If you need to reschedule a future appointment or contact us, you should do so in the usual way by phoning the practice telephone number 01506-671818 or email us at contactus@springfielddentalcare.net.
  10. Dental Emergency during out-of-hours or at weekends should contact NHS24 on Tel: 1 1 1 for advice and treatment. Dentists operate a rota system for dental emergencies at the St. John Hospital, Livingston, and the Chalmers Dental Clinic in Edinburgh.

    11. Springfield Dental Care.