Covid-19 Guidance

Here are information that helps you accessing dental care in England according to the latest government guidelines. For more information see also: General Dental Council or British Dental Association.

New advice for patients and visitors

At Optident the whole team are working hard to ensure that your visit to our dental practice enjoyable, helpful and above all else safe. The procedures and processes that were normally used to deliver safe dental care are already well developed and practiced here at Optident. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our normal procedures and processes have been upgraded to ensure we are offering you the safest dental environment we can. The risk of virus particle contamination is managed carefully in all areas of the building and surgeries.

If you are unwell for any reason please do not come to the dental practice. If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19 please stay at home and follow NHS guidance. Only call the practice for information on dealing with a dental emergency.

Listed under is our procedure for your appointment at the practice. Prior to your appointment the receptionist will contact you to obtain as much of the required administrative information as possible before your visit.

Patient preparation at home

To avoid unnecessary time in our communal areas we ask that you carry out the following:

• Clean your teeth at home as it will not be possible for you to do so at Optident.
• Ideally we would prefer that you do not use Optident’s toilet facilities but if that is not possible, please do so before your appointment and avoid using our facilities afterwards. Always notify the Reception before you use the facility in order for the facility to be thoroughly cleaned after use.
• Should you require any oral health products, please contact the receptionist before your visit in order that they can be ready for you to collect when you attend.
• Complete any paperwork at home and have it ready to hand to our Receptionist on arrival.
• Do not bring anyone with you if this can be avoided. If a family member drives you to the practice, they should wait in the car; we will of course welcome carers who may need to accompany you.
• Our team will be wearing extra layers of PPE and the room may be much cooler than normal, therefore, we advise you wear some warm clothing.
• Any payments required for your appointment should be made before you leave the practice. We are only accepting payments made by card.

On arrival at the practice

• Try and be relaxed when you arrive. Don’t run, rush or cycle too fast to your appointment as your body temperature will rise and you would appear feverish which could prevent you from being treated.
• On arrival in the car park, phone us to say you have arrived and please stay in your car.
• If you do not have a vehicle to wait in, use our outdoor seating area as the sitting room is closed. On a bad weather day we will operate a socially distanced sitting room.
• Your dentist will call you from your car to come to the practice where your temperature will be taken at reception using a contactless thermometer. If you are feverish we will ask you to rebook your appointment for two weeks’ time.
• You will be given a mask to wear and asked to use a hand sanitiser rub. You will notice that our Reception team are now behind a screen to protect their work environment.
• Many of the team looking after you will also be wearing various levels of PPE but we are likely to be wearing a mask as we greet you. This is because we will be closer than 2m.

Your appointment

• You will be invited straight into the dental surgery that will have been prepared to provide a safe environment for you.
• You will be asked to place your personal belongings in a plastic box or on a chair.
• You will be given an extra-large dental bib to protect your clothes plus a tissue to hold throughout the appointment so you are prepared to catch any sneezes or coughs which will help keep the surgery environment clean.
• Air purifying units have been added to our surgeries which add additional background noise to the room, and your dentist and nurse will be speaking through their masks so please let us know if you are unable to hear us clearly.
• You will be asked to remove your mask and put it in the bag provided.
• We will provide you with a mouthwash to rinse with for 1 minute before starting treatment.
• At the end of your procedure you will be offered the usual mouthwash and asked to put your facemask back on before leaving the surgery. Please continue to wear your mask until you have left the building.
• You will be asked to go to reception to pay using your debit or credit card.
• We will call you shortly after your appointment to arrange your next appointment and will email or post treatment plans to you.