Caring for you during COVID-19

Dear patient,

Following the surprise Government announcement on the 28th May, the team at County Road Dental are pleased to announce that we will begin to re-open the practice from Monday 8th June.  Please don’t expect us to return to “business as usual” from this date.  

We have had to cancel hundreds of appointments since the lockdown began 3 months ago.  When we return, we will prioritise appointments for existing patients who have had a dental emergency, or appointments cancelled, in order of urgency.  Our capacity to see patients will be massively reduced as we put in place social distancing measures and enhanced infection control measures.  

Please do not attend the surgery unless you have an appointment.

You can no longer drop in to the surgery to make an appointment, you must either call or email your enquires.  If the phone lines are busy please leave a voicemail with your name and contact number, we do listen and respond to them.  You do not need to call us to book routine check-ups as we have a record and our staff will be in touch when we can safely see you.  Thank you for your understanding for this delay to the resumption of normal services.  

If you have an urgent dental need during practice opening times, our dentists continue to provide a telephone consultation service which you can access by calling 0151 521 3515.  

If you have an urgent dental need outside of our normal practice opening times, Practice Plan patients should call the number on their membership card and NHS patients should call 0161 476 9651.  

Please rest assured, our absolute priority is to provide a safe treatment environment for our patients and staff as soon as possible.  For those patients attending the practice for an appointment, you can expect some changes as we introduce measures to keep you and our staff safe.  These are set out below.

We have strict capacity limits on the number of patients in the practice to ensure the waiting areas are not overcrowded.  This will inevitably mean a reduced number of available appointments as we will be leaving suitable gaps between each patient’s appointment.  It also means that you will need to attend your appointment on your own, unless the patient is a child under 16 or has learning difficulties.  We will also create clinics for patients who are most vulnerable, to help minimise contact with others at the practice.

We will need you to update your medical history over the telephone with one of our staff, before you attend for your appointment.  If your prescription has been revised, we may need you to take a photo and email it to our reception team.  This will mean you will not need to touch a pen, paper or electronic device when you come to the practice.  Given the sensitive nature of the information in the medical history, you may want to ensure that you are in a room where you cannot be overheard.  

To further avoid overcrowding, we will ask you to wait in a safe place, such as your car, outside of the practice until your appointment time.  We will notify you via your phone when you should enter the practice.  Please only bring in items which are absolutely necessary.  The toilet facilities won’t be available for use so please try and go before you attend.

 We have hand sanitisers and masks at the entrance of the practice for your use.  We will conduct a pre-screening test of all patients, which is likely to include taking your temperature on arrival.  Please do not attend if you have any of the symptoms of COVID 19 or if you have been exposed to someone in your household who has.  We can delay your appointment until you have had time to self isolate or get tested, or refer you too a site that is able to see patients who have the virus.

If you are being seen on the NHS and would normally need to sign an NHS form, we can do that on your behalf.  Is it important to point out that you must be absolutely certain of your exemption from having to pay NHS charges.  Although we are signing on your behalf you will still be liable for any fines that are imposed by the NHS for incorrectly claiming of exemption.  

If there are charges to be paid we will ask that you pay over the telephone in advance of the appointment or using a contactless card on arrival.   Our ability to take cash and give change will be greatly reduced as it is a key way of transmitting the virus.  This crucial step greatly reduces touch points at the practice.  Our reception team will be protected by a perspex screen but we ask that you still adhere to the 2m social distance rule should any interaction be necessary.  Any future appointments if needed can be made over the telephone once you have returned home.  

The dentist and nurse will be wearing more PPE than perhaps you will be used to as you enter the surgery, but please don’t be alarmed, this is for your and their protection.  Between all appointments, as always, the team will thoroughly disinfect the surgery, reducing the risk of exposure to anything harmful whilst you are in our dental chair.  

We are grateful for your perseverance during this difficult time, especially if you have experienced a dental emergency or you have outstanding dental treatment.  We look forward to seeing you again soon.   

Best wishes and stay safe

Paul Geoghegan (Principal Dentist)