The whole team at Orthoactive are working hard to ensure that your visit will be a pleasant, effective, and most importantly a safe experience. We are currently in the process of a phased reopening and we will be calling our patients who have had issues first. Please be advised that due to social distancing requirements and current aerosol generating procedure regulations although we are opening extra hours, we will be seeing fewer patients per day so please bear with us at this time.
If you have an orthodontic emergency whilst you are waiting for us to contact you to reschedule your appointment please call us. In the event we are unable to assist you at this time due to current surgery restrictions or if it is outside surgery hours please contact the practice mobile on 07582284659 alternatively please visit online: https://www.bos.org.uk/News-and-Events/COVID19-BOS-Advice/Patients-Advice/PatientsInformation-Videos for information from the British Orthodontic Society (BOS). They have created useful information videos that can assist you in dealing with typical orthodontic issues and emergencies.
The procedures and protocols that were routinely part of safe delivery of dental care are already well developed and practiced at Orthoactive. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have upgraded these routines to ensure that we are offering you the latest in safe dental environments. The risk of virus particle contamination is managed carefully in all areas of the building and in surgery. This includes closing our waiting room and screening reception.
If you are unwell for any reason it is better to not come to the Practice. If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19 please stay at home and follow NHS guidance.
How we will look after you before, during and after your visit
Before Your Appointment:
- June will call you to complete as much of the necessary administration as possible before your visit and complete a Covid-19 Medical Screening and if required a Medical History status. Please advise us if there have been changes to your Medical History, Contact Details or Home Address since your last visit. We are keen to prepare our clinic prior to your visit as much as possible in order to limit the time you spend in the practice and to allow us to manage your visit efficiently and effectively while you are with us.
Preparation at Home:
In order to reduce time spent in the Practice we kindly ask you to:
- Clean your teeth at home as it will not be possible for you to do so at Orthoactive.
- We kindly request that you do not use the toilet facilities in the practice at present unless there is an urgent/medical need.
- Complete any paperwork at home if required and have it ready to hand to June on arrival.
- Do not bring anyone into the practice with you if this can be avoided.
- Do not bring any personal items into the practice that are not necessary.
- Please make sure you bring a face covering with you, this could be a mask or scarf.
- Order any oral health supplies from home via phone so that we can have them ready for you to collect after your appointment.
- Payment can be made prior by bank transfer or if over £5.00 by card preferably contactless as the payment machine is offered to you through the screen. Cheques and cash introduce extra levels of contamination risk that we are keen to avoid. Payments can also be taken over the phone.
On Arrival:
- On arrival at Orthoactive, park at the front of the practice and phone us on 01473 462355 or 07582 284659 to say you have arrived but please stay in your car.
- If a family member drives you to the practice, once you are in the practice they must wait in the car; we will of course welcome carers who may need to accompany you but medical history screening will also apply to accompanying Carer.
- If you do not have a vehicle to wait in; phone us to say you have arrived and wait outside. On a bad weather day, we will operate a socially distant alternative.
- We will check to ensure no changes to COVID 19 medical assessment previously taken.
- June will phone you to advise when to come to the front door.
- Please make sure you are wearing a face covering.
- We will take your temperature using a contactless thermometer. If you are feverish, we will ask you to rebook your appointment for two weeks’ time. Therefore, ensure you arrive in a cool and calm fashion. Don’t run, rush or cycle too fast to your appointment as your body temperature will be raised which could prevent you from being treated. Due to strict appointment times and social distancing rules late arrivals will need to be rebooked.
- You will be asked to use hand sanitiser on entry and ask that you do not touch any surfaces whilst in the practice and maintain 2m social distance where possible.
- We will ask you to place your personal belongings in a plastic box
- Whilst looking after you we will also be wearing various levels of PPE including wearing a mask as we greet you. This is because we will be closer than 2m.
Your Appointment:
- We will invite you straight into the dental surgery that will have been prepared to provide a safe environment for you.
- After our initial discussion with masks on we will ask to take your face covering off, we will give you a tissue to hold along with your face covering throughout the appointment. This is for you to be ready to catch a sneeze or a cough with the tissue helping keep the surgery environment clean.
- Please do not touch any surfaces or your face/mouth whilst in the practice.
- Windows will be open to aid air flow.
After your Appointment:
- Following treatment, you will be asked to replace your face covering, use hand sanitiser, collect your belongings and be escorted to leave the practice. Please continue to wear your mask until you have left the building.
- You will be called to rebook the next appointment. If you do not hear from us please call the practice in case your contact telephone has changed.
- At Orthoactive we are determined that your experience under our care continue to be effective, reassuring and confidence building while we offer you detailed attention as comfortably and safely as possible.
PLEASE NOTE THESE PROCEDURES MAY CHANGE AT SHORT NOTICE DEPENDING ON CURRENT REGULATIONS, GUIDANCE, STAFFING LEVELS AND COVID-19 RECOVERY PHASE OR FURTHER RESTRICTIONS
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US ON 01473 462355