Dear Valued Patients,
With Greater Sydney including our beloved Central Coast going into lockdown for the next two weeks until 11:59pm on Friday, 09 July 2021 (Update: Extended until Friday, 30 July 2021), you might be wondering what’s going to happen to dental clinics and our regular business hours here in Erina.
Per the NSW Govt advice, providing dental care is an essential reason for leaving home under the stay-at-home-orders. This currently does not require us to shut down our practice during the lockdown. We continue to operate at Level 1 Restrictions which requires the assessment of risk and deferring care if necessary.
Please be assured that we have our COVID safety plan and have strict infection control policies in place at all times. Ensuring the safety of our team, visitors and patients is of utmost priority as it has always been.
What does Level 1 mean?
This means we can provide all dental treatments using standard precautions for people who do not meet epidemiological or clinical risk factors for COVID-19 infection transmission.
Where there are patients who DO meet epidemiological or clinical symptom criteria for COVID-19 risk, we are to defer non-urgent treatment.
Level 1 basically means that we must continue to screen patients and only treat those who do not meet the epidemiological and clinical risk factors for COVID-19. It is imperative that we continue to be vigilant in the application of Level 1 restrictions and ensure the safety of our patients, our dental team, and consequently, their families.
Where a risk is identified, the appointment will be deferred to a later date where symptoms or the risks no longer present themselves.
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Q: I have an appointment coming up. What should I do?
A: It is still safe for you to come for your dental appointment. We will see you provided you meet the clinical and epidemiological criteria - meaning you are not experiencing Covid symptoms AND you have not been to an exposure venue as advised by the NSW Health department. AS PART OF OUR PROTOCOL, you will receive a text message from us the day before your scheduled appointment with a link to our Covid screening questionnaire. PLEASE ENSURE YOU COMPLETE THIS BEFORE YOU COME IN TO THE CLINIC. Your temperature will again be checked when you come in.
Q: Do I need to wear a mask even though I’m going to have my mouth open during my appointment?
A: Yes, per the public health order, you are required to wear a mask indoors. Please wear one when you come in and while you are in our waiting room as this is now mandatory for all indoor workplaces in NSW. The only time you may take your mask off is when you are seated on the dental chair. We will provide you with a mouth rinse to help eliminate any lingering germs before we proceed with your dental treatment.
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We hope that this somehow gives you some peace of mind regarding a visit to the dentist during the lockdown and during the pandemic. We are closely monitoring any announcements from the NSW Government, the Dental Board of Australia and the Australian Dental Association. Should any changes occur in the coming days, we will adhere to any directives accordingly and let you know.
If you have any questions and/or concerns, please call our office on (02) 4367-6222 during office hours. You may also send us a SMS on our textable number at 0488 852 239 and we will endeavour to respond as soon as practicable.
In the meantime, please stay safe and well! Hopefully the kids on school holidays will find something to entertain themselves with too!
Take care,
Pam