What your dental visit will look like during COVID-19

With the WA border opening in the near future, there are some important changes to how dental visits will work. We are fortunate that we have had good advice from the Australian Dental Association, as well as learning from the experiences of the dental industry in the Eastern states.

Dental visits will look a bit different to what you may usually be accustomed to once the virus is in the community. Here’s an outline of what the changes will look like:

1. When we send you your reminder SMS, we ask you a few questions about whether you have been at any exposure sites, travelled interstate/overseas, are experiencing any symptoms or feel unwell, are awaiting COVID-19 test results, or have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19.
2. Instead of coming straight to the practice for your appointment, we may ask you to sit in your car and SMS us when you have arrived. When we are ready to bring you into the clinical room to start your appointment, we will SMS you to ask you to come to the practice from your car. This is to reduce the number of people in the waiting room. We would also ask you to avoid bringing any accompanying persons where possible.
3. Upon arrival, you will need to check-in using the SafeWA or ServiceWA apps. You will then need to use hand sanitiser. Your temperature will be checked.
4. As the situation is constantly changing, we will need to update you accordingly if we are under any treatment restrictions. These would be coming from either the Australian Dental Association or the Government.
5. If your treatment can be carried out, we will reduce the amount of aerosols produced by the following means: use of dental dam, use of high speed evacuation, reduction in use of aerosol-producing instruments where possible.
6. We will ask all patients to rinse with the pre-procedural mouthrinse (Peroxyl).
7. There will be a minimum of 10 minutes between patient appointment bookings to ensure our team can disinfect all touched surfaces, and also allow for settling of aerosols in the environment.
8. We will be using HEPA air filters in all clinical rooms to purify the air.
9. We have adequate PPE including hair nets, gowns, face shields and N95 masks.
10. Our team members will have access to Rapid Antigen Tests should they feel unwell prior to attending work.
11. Contact-less pickup of Invisalign aligners and other appliances can be arranged.

As you are all aware, the situation with COVID-19 is constantly changing. We will be monitoring the latest advice from both the ADA and the Government. Our team is fully trained in these protocols and our aim is to keep safe during your dental visit.

Should you have any further questions or queries, please do not hesitate to call us on 6143 5655.

Author: Lydia