Perfect Smile Safety Steps

Practice Updates:

 

To all our practice patients and visitors,

We’re aware of the lifting of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions from 19th July 2021. But, we still need to act cautiously to stop the spread of the virus.

 

The delta variant is more transmissible, and people visiting our practices may be contagious without knowing it. Many people are still not yet fully vaccinated, so cutting virus transmissions is still important. Health premises are a higher risk environment and we need to maintain some control measures to keep everyone safe.

So we’re asking everyone visiting our practices to:

• Wear a face mask, unless you’re exempt
• Maintain social distancing
• Use hand gel or wash your hands.

 

 

Before the day of your appointment

A Pre Screening Covid-19 Questionnaire and a Medical History Form will need to be completed before the booking of your appointment. This will be updated on the day you attend the practice.

Should you develop any symptoms, you should contact the practice and cancel your appointment and book a Covid test & self isolate immediately (please refer to Government guidelines).

 

Before you enter the practice

Please DO NOT arrive too early or be LATE for your appointment. This will help us maintain social distancing by avoiding a ‘build-up’ of patients within the practice. Please DO NOT come accompanied by family members or friends into the practice with you unless absolutely necessary. Exceptions include a parent/guardian of children under 18 years old, or a carer.

Please bring as little belongings with you as possible, this limits the risk of any contamination.

 

Inside the practice

We’ve adjusted our waiting areas and spaced out appointments as much as possible so you can maintain safe social distancing. You MUST santise your hands using the antibacterial gel provided as soon as you enter the practice. You’ll be given a mask to wear on arrival to ensure your safety during your visit. You are welcome to wear your own mask. Our staff will also be wearing appropriate PPE to ensure your safety.

Screen dividers have been installed on our reception desks. Please try and maintain a 2 metre distance from the reception desk and avoid touching the screen. We’ll ask you some questions upon arrival to confirm the information you gave in the pre-visit call. Your temperature will also be checked upon arrival using a non-contact thermometer. If it is deemed too high, your appointment will be rescheduled for a later date. We kindly ask to keep all your belongings with you at all times and avoid leaving the waiting area until you are collected for your appointment. Patient wash room faciities are still operational but please ask at receptionist before use. This will ensure we know the facilities have been used and can clean appropriately.

 

After your appointment

To keep you safe, we’ll ask you to use contactless payment instead of cash wherever possible. You can book any future appointments or follow-ups with our reception staff.

If after 14 days of your appointment you begin to develop any symptoms of Covid-19, such as a high fever or a new continuous cough, you should contact the practice to inform them and follow the appropriate self-isolation advice – this ensures the health and well-being of all our staff and patients.

 

 

What is COVID-19/Coronavirus?

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called Coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that cause illnesses such as the common cold, to more severe conditions such as pneumonia, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome (SARS). The COVID-19 strain of Coronavirus is new and not previously known.

The source of the current outbreak hasn’t been confirmed yet but is being investigated. From the evidence available so far, it appears that human-to-human transmission is occurring.

 

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms of this Coronavirus include:

  • fever (high temperature)
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • respiratory symptoms (like those you have with a cold)
  • breathing difficulties
  • headaches

 

How to stop infection spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus.

Do

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get back home
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Don’t

  • do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

 

Looking after your health and wellbeing

To help yourself stay well while you’re at home:

  • stay in touch with family and friends over the phone or on social media
  • try to keep yourself busy – you could try activities like cooking, reading, online learning and watching films
  • do light exercise at home, or outside once a day

 

 

Do not leave your home if you have coronavirus symptoms

Do not leave your home if you have either:

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.

Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.

 

 

What to do if you need medical help

If you need medical help for any reason, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough), use the 111 coronavirus service.

If you need help or advice not related to coronavirus:

  • for health information and advice, use the NHS website or your GP surgery website
  • for urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service – only call 111 if you’re unable to get help online
  • for life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance

Read more advice about getting medical help at home.

 

Treatment for Coronavirus

There is currently no specific treatment for Coronavirus. Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses. Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness. You’ll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered.

 

Urgent advice: Use the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service if:

  • your condition gets worse
  • your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Use the 111 Coronavirus service

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

 

Government response and action plan

GOV.UK: Coronavirus action plan

GOV.UK: information on coronavirus and the situation in the UK