Covid – 19 Letter One

Dear Valued Patient,

You, like all of our patients, are part of our family at The Dental Suite. And, just like you, keeping our family safe and healthy during this challenging time is our first concern. In order to protect your overall health as well as your oral health, we have taken the following measures;

Postponing all routine appointments

Please be reassured that you will still receive the dental care you need. In keeping with the latest government advice, all appointments have been suspended from 23/3/20. If you already have an appointment booked, you can expect to hear from us in due course or call us to rearrange.

We will inform you as soon as we are able to operate normally again.

We are still here to help

Ensuring you are cared for is a duty that our whole practice team takes very seriously. Rest assured we will provide all possible assistance that is safe and in line with government guidance.

Our team will be available for telephone conversations and advice in normal working hours. Our reception team will triage any calls and one of our clinical team will call you back at a mutually convenient time.

This will be covered as always by your monthly plan payments (for those on Lloyd & Whyte and Denplan).

Do you need emergency treatment?

Don’t take any unnecessary risks. If you’re experiencing a dental problem, these questions will help you decide if you need to be assessed for urgent treatment.

Bleeding

Is it following a tooth extraction? If yes, have you bitten on the gauze provided for 15 minutes?

If you haven’t, there’s no need to call yet.

If you have, call for emergency advice ASAP.

Is it your gums that are bleeding? If yes, this is not urgent and there is no need to book.

Was the bleeding caused by a blow or other trauma to your mouth? If yes, call for emergency advice ASAP.

Swelling

Have you noticed any swelling around the tooth or can it be seen on the outside of your face?

Does the swelling extend to your eye/neck? If yes, call for emergency advice ASAP

Is the swelling affecting your vision, your breathing or is it preventing you from opening your mouth more than two fingers wide? If yes to any of these, go straight to A&E.

Trauma

Has the trauma caused you to experience any loss of consciousness, blurred vision or vomiting? If yes to any of these, go straight to A&E and call the practice.

Has the trauma broken a tooth or has a tooth fallen out? If yes to either, call for emergency advice ASAP.

Pain

Is the pain making it hard to eat or affecting your sleep? Have you tried to manage the pain with pain killers? Please call us for help.

The following problems are non-urgent and do not require an emergency appointment:

• Loose or lost crowns, bridges or veneers
• Fractured or loose dentures
• Fractured, loose or displaced fillings
• Chipped teeth with no pain
• Loose wires
• Bleeding gums

Remember to keep your oral health in mind

The health of your mouth can have a big effect on your overall health and wellbeing. During this period of social isolation take some time to refresh your oral health habits and make sure that your teeth and gums stay healthy.

Remember:

• Brush with a fluoride toothpaste before bed and at one other time during the day
• Use floss and/or interdental brush, to clean between your teeth each day
• Limit the number of food you eat that contains sugar
• Limit the number of sugary and acidic drinks you have

Your plan payment plan

For those of you that are on one of our Dental plans (Lloyd & Whyte or Denplan) we’re so pleased that you have your payment plan to continue supporting your oral health during this time. Your plan ensures that when we are able to treat you again at the practice as normal, you will have priority for booking appointments and you can return to the practice with the confidence that the cost of your check-up is already covered. At times like this protecting every aspect of our health is invaluable, and your plan is a great way to protect your teeth and gums and oral health.

Please talk to us if you have any financial concerns around your care

We understand that not everyone’s job or income will be stable right now, and it could be quite a concern. If anyone is experiencing financial difficulty, we’d like to invite them to speak to our practice team in confidence. We will then look at what we can do to help support and keep everyone registered as a patient at the practice.

We’re here to support you in any way we can

As a part of The Dental Suite family, your oral health isn’t our only concern. While we’re living in such uncertain times, our whole team agrees that we want to do anything we can to support you and your family. If you or one of your loved ones are self-isolating and you need help with getting essentials or picking up prescriptions, please give our team a ring. We will be happy to help you in whatever manner we’re able.

We can’t stress any more how important you are to us, not just as a business but personally. Please do everything you can to keep yourselves and those around you safe. Don’t take unnecessary risks and for the moment stay indoors wherever possible.

We can’t wait to see you again and have the chance to talk under better circumstances. If you have any questions, please call our team on 023 8084 2106 or email us at reception@dentalsuite.co.uk

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate the next few weeks together. Please look at our Facebook page for updates and news.

https://www.facebook.com/thedentalsuitehythe

Yours faithfully,
The Dental Suite