Flu & Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The UK government advises the nations Covid-19 status and vaccinate availability here.

Covid-19 and flu trackers provide the details:

• UKHSA dashboard updated every Thursday.

• Virus around the dental practice region.

If you have symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) or cough, cold and flu symptoms, or are self-isolating because your household is in self-isolation, do not attend your appointment.  Call the practice straightaway on 01449 771 700 to rebook for a later date.  We will prescribe AAA services where appropriate or refer you to an Urgent Dental Care centre if in pain.

General public with a positive COVID-19 test result are advised by the UK government, “If you have been asked to attend a medical or dental appointment in person, contact your healthcare provider and let them know about your positive test result.”

Please be patient with our reception staff who have Covid-19 related questions to ask.  (If you refuse to provide answers to our questions your appointment may be postponed or cancelled.)

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

• new continuous cough, and/or high temperature
• high temperature
• altered or lost sense of taste and/or smell 

For most people, COVID-19 will be a mild infection

Please postpone your dental appointment if you have the above symptoms or your household is in self-isolation.  Please seek further information from the NHS Coronavirus website and self-isolate following NHS guidance.

If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111.  For a medical emergency dial 999.

Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.  Everyone is reminded to follow Public Health England advice:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.  Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, expecially after using public transportation.  Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Sources:

NHS England and NHS Improvement, 18/02/2020, 18/09/2020.

NHS Overview - Coronavirus, 5/11/2021.

Wedgwood House Dental Practice, like all dental practices practicing Covid-19 safe operating procedures are currently open for all urgent and non-urgent dental and hygiene appointments.

Additional information sources: National lockdown, JBC , www.gov.uk/coronavirus, covid19.nhs.uk