What will happen to dentistry when the inevitable second lockdown happens?

[opalescent]

Surely to god they won't suspend all but the most urgent treatment again.
Does anyone know what is happening with dental practices in local lockdown areas?

I really hope there is a better plan than last time. It was barbaric.

Oh and triage done pre appointment.
Anyone with Covid symptoms rebooked and if they had pain they would be sent to a hot hub (dental school). Our practice was a cold non AGP hub by end of April though so most people are sorted now.

This is all very reassuring. Bickles what information is filtering down from the CDO about practice in the event of lockdown m?

'm' was a typo 🤣

My practice is half private and half NHS. I use the private dentist, I have had a check up with the dentist and a hygienist visit. My OH uses the NHS dentist, he has been told no check ups only emergencies until at least next year

I think because they now have safety procedures in place a lockdown shouldn’t make any difference to service. Thé reason for closing all dental surgeries before was that they didn’t know how to prevent infection spreading and they now seem confident that they do.

Information doesn’t filter down from the CDO in England! “Prof” though she is, she’s hiding in her nice safe office.
We had a document in August and no changes done then.
Enjoy!
www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/06/C0704-dental-transition-to-recovery-sop-28-august-2020.pdf

Thanks @MilkLady02

It looks like you are allowed to do more in England than they are in Scotland!

I will be happy when I get this filling finally drilled and filled. There is no word on when that will be though as it’s not considered an ‘emergency’ despite the toothache since March!

Sigh.

this should be the next big story that journalists pick up. "How many teeth were lost" due to covid controls.

I went to the hygienist today. I had my temperature checked and asked to wash my hands on arrival. There were 4 people in waiting room for the dentist (definitely 1, possibly 2 working).

Hygienist has been seeing patients since June, wearing a mask and visor, but is only allowed to used hand tools. Also I was offered a drink at the end, but had to swallow (spit drain thing was out of bounds).

It felt safe, but I am not sure I've paid £70 before!

I do worry that some people are going to have big problems with their teeth and gums if they go 12-18 months without being seen.

I'm having a right mare with my teeth, one huge filling fell out of a molar, so I can't eat that side and the other side I've got a tooth that has started to crumble so I'm terrified of munching there too much as well. The private dentist can't see me until the end of November and the NHS one told me to call back daily in case an appointment comes up, so frustrating that I can't get in anywhere at all.

I read that in Scotland NHS dental care can resume from 1 November? That might change depending on what’s announced shortly though.

I’m an NHS patient at a mixed surgery, and have been in to have a new mouthguard made. My friend who’s at the same surgery - also NHS patient - called in because her daughter had toothache and they were seen the same day, that was back in July.

For both my appointments (impressions and fit) I had to go through a Q&A with reception in the morning, had temperature taken on arrival, and no waiting room, the nurse brought me in the door, which was locked, then took me straight into the treatment room. Mask worn until I was in the chair, and again on the way out.