The nEW coronavirus has dramatically changed people’s lives around the world. After the rise in the number of infections in the United Kingdom, our public life was suddenly restricted in order to contain the spread. We are now well past the peak but questions remain, for example, do the restrictions affect the visit to the doctor and especially the dentist? Find out here what you should consider when visiting the dentist.
Dental treatments take place despite the corona crisis
Dental care is slowly normalising in the United Kingdom despite the coronavirus.
During the height of the pandemic, only (very limited) emergency treatments were carried out in urgent dental care centres, due to the obvious concerns of not being able to respect social distancing when visiting a dentist. Today we understand the virus a little bit better and it has become clear that with an appropriate risk assessment and excellent cross infection protocol, the risk can effectively be mitigated at the dental practice. We have established a strict protocol to keep everyone safe and have now resumed routine dental treatment.
These are our measures to protect our patients
- Newest equipment in the decontamination area
- Sneeze guards in the entire practice
- Disinfecting the communal area every hour
- Rinses with virus killing agents
- Professional protective PPE
You shouldn’t come to the dentist if you:
- Have cold-like symptoms, such as cough and fever
- Belong to a vulnerable group
- Had contact with a confirmed coronavirus case.
Do you need dental advice despite COVID-19?
If you have dental concerns, we are here to help you. You shouldn’t come to the clinic without an appointment, but please contact us via email or telephone. A clinician will be able to discuss the concerns with you and advise you on the best route to take.
General health issues related to coronavirus
What is the coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface. Human coronaviruses were first identified in the mid-1960s. There are seven coronaviruses that can infect people, some of them exist amongst us commonly without causing much problems, others, like MERS-Cov or SARS-Cov, were much more dangerous but virtually disappeared. SARS-Cov-2 is the one we are today battling with, and causes an acute respiratory disease, coronavirus disease 2019, or Covid-19.
How is the virus transmitted and how can you protect yourself and others?
The coronavirus is transmitted from person to person, although the precise mechanisms are still being debated. The main ones seem to be droplets – when someone sneezes or coughs for instance – and surface transmission – when someone touches a surface that someone who has the virus has coughed or sneezed on. One may touch a countertop or doorknob that’s contaminated and then touch one’s nose, mouth, or eyes. The virus can live on surfaces like plastic and stainless steel for 2 to 3 days.
This is why, in order to contain the spread, the current recommendations include social distancing and thorough and frequent hand washing.
Why is Corona dangerous for humans?
The mechanism through which this virus becomes so dangerous is not fully understood, but it does seems to settle in the lungs, damaging the cells that are responsible for breathing. This damage can lead to mild complaints or even a serious lung infection
