IMPORTANT CORONAVIRUS MESSAGE – UPDATE

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As per the guidelines of the Scottish Government we will be reopening for face to face emergency appointments only from the 29th June where non aerosol procedures (dental drill) can take place. A dentist will still be triaging calls each week day and will assess if you need to be seen for an appointment. Only patients with severe pain, symptoms of infection, bleeding or trauma will be seen for emergency treatment.

Our opening hours will be:

Mon – Thurs 9am – 12pm & 1pm – 5pm

Friday 9am – 12pm & 1pm – 4pm

The urgent dental care units will still be in operation and you may need to be referred if it’s an urgent procedure that we cannot treat in the practice.

As we are only allowed to open one surgery in this phase we will be working with reduced members of staff and there will also be large gaps between appointments to allow the dental team to thoroughly disinfect the dental surgery, reducing the risk of patient exposure to anything harmful while they are in the chair and staff will be regularly wiping all surfaces in the reception area. As we are limited to the number of patients we can see in a day, please note you may not be seen that day.

We appreciate many of you had have routine appointments and treatment appointments cancelled during lockdown and we have a database of everyone affected and when we are allowed to resume more services we will be in touch to make your appointment.

Daily life for everyone around the world has changed dramatically in a short space of time. As things begin to normalise it is important that we reflect and try to adapt to ensure that we take control and change the things we know will keep us safe. Things like washing your hands regularly and thoroughly and avoiding unnecessary travel or contact with others.

Your oral health continues to be important and although we should be more cautious going forward, we should not let recent events cause us to neglect this.

At Riccarton Dental Practice the most important thing is patient safety and comfort, and that is why we have introduced the following measures to keep people safe while at the practice. We will do this by leaving suitable gaps between appointments, making sure that you can attend the practice while maintaining a suitable distance from one another in accordance with government guidelines.

To further avoid overcrowding when you arrive at the practice, we ask that you arrive close to your appointment time and if you arrive by car, if possible please call to let us know you are here on 01314513080 or 07395 935959 and wait in your car or in a safe place outside of the practice until called in. We will notify you via your phone when you should enter the practice. When possible please come on your own into the practice and as you will not be allowed to take outdoor coats and bags into the surgery please leaving these items in your car or we have boxes in our reception that they can be placed while you are in the surgery (please don’t bring valuable items).

We also ask that you use the hand gel provided before entering the surgery and when you leave the surgery.

We are updating our computer system so we will be sending out all forms to be completed before your appointment. This means that you will not have to touch a pen, paper when you attend your appointment. This crucial step greatly reduces touch points at the practice. Someone from the practice will call before your appointment to complete a patient Covid screening form.

We will also be able to regularly send you updates from the practice and we will contact you when we are able to starting booking appointments soon for your checkup.

And finally, as you leave the practice, we will ask that you pay by card, preferably contactless.