CORONAVIRUS

5th October 2023 Update

Throughout the original pandemic we strived to make Thames Dental Surgery as safe as possible for all our patients and staff. We will continue to do so going forward.

We have come so far in trying to minimise the ongoing impact of Covid and we are sure you understand the need to keep the surgery as safe as possible for ALL patients and staff. One positive case of covid within the surgery could stop our entire workforce for 10 days, and I'm sure you will agree, maintaining restrictions is a small price to pay so that we may continue with a full range of medical services, and keep our doors open.

Under the current guidelines you will be able to access NHS emergency dental care at any NHS dental practice that has the capacity to see you, including our practice. We will try to accommodate unregistered patients with urgent needs and emergency appointments are booked depending upon the availability of appointments. We are currently experiencing a high demand for emergency treatment and the availability of appointments is very limited.
Patients can find out the local high-risk dental centre by calling NHS 111 where special facilities including full personal protective equipment have been set up.
High risk patients include:
• ALL Patients with confirmed Coronavirus infection
• Patients who are or should be self-isolating
• Anyone who has a new and continuous cough, loss or change of sense of smell or taste, sore throat, or a temperature of at least 37.8 degrees centigrade
• Immunocompromised patients- those with low immunity
• Those that have been in contact with a known carrier or infectious individual

We would greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation to protect both patients and our staff.

If you have travelled abroad in the last 14 days or been in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus or have been asked to self-isolate please check the government's gov.uk website for the latest COVID-19 advice, you may need to call NHS 111 for further advice before making or attending your appointment. If you have COUGH, FEVER or SHORTNESS OF BREATH symptoms, to protect yourself and others please call NHS 111 for expert advice and do not enter the dental practice building. Find out more at nhs.uk/coronavirus

The NHS has been experiencing an unprecedented public health situation, and the health and wellbeing of our patients and staff remain our top priority. Please be assured that we will try to ensure that we will deliver your dental care to the highest standards. There will inevitably be disruption, however, we are working to minimise the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus on our service. The NHS is prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases and, if needed, will put in place measures to ensure the safety of patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services that emergency are available to the public as normal.

Check online at gov.uk and at nhs.uk for advice and the latest COVID-19 information.