Dentistry Articles

COVID – 19 – PATIENT ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE

Covid 19 changed, in the last 3 months, our lives and the way we work. Ashton Smile Clinic does its best to keep you and our staff safe and needs your help in doing so. Before your appointment you should:

• Use the toilet before attending the practice
• Bring your own pen (we provide single use pens if needed)
• Only bring minimal belongings into the practice with you
• Attend alone wherever possible or with one other person if absolutely necessary
• More vulnerable patients should wear a simple face covering when they attend
• If you require a chaperone inform practice before appointment
• Call the practice when you arrive
• Only enter the building when summoned by phone/SMS at the agreed time
• Be met by a team member wearing appropriate PPE who will check their medical history
• Be screened using the standard COVID-19 screening questions and if now in Category 1 will be referred to an appropriate center (if it is an emergency) or advised to self-isolate
• You must use the hand sanitizer at the entrance (IRD sensor activated dispenser right side of upstairs door) and put on a disposable mask and gloves when entering the building from the PPE station inside the front door
• Payment will be taken in advance of the dental appointment to minimize risk
• Use their own pen to sign paper forms
• Comply with the social distancing markers at reception, stay behind the screens, etc
• Then be escorted directly into the surgery
• Any patient belongings should be placed on the chair at reception
• Once entering the surgery, the patient is asked to retain their face mask and gloves (if provided) until the end of the appointment
• At the end of treatment, the patient should leave the room immediately, dispose of PPE in the clinical waste bin and perform hand sanitization using alcohol gel placed outside the door
• The patient collects their belongings from the designated area, and is escorted to the practice exit

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We are in this together. Stay safe and see you soon.

Post Extraction Advice

Here is what you need to know when you have a tooth removed!
• Your dentist will advise you on a suitable period of recovery at home. This will depend on the reason for having teeth removed, the number of teeth removed and the type of anaesthetic used.
• Be careful not to bite or burn the cheeks/lips/tongue whilst they are still numb.
• Avoid mouthwash, mouth rinses, hot drinks, hot food and strenuous activity for the first 24 hours. These can dislodge the healing blood clot in the tooth socket(s) and make the area bleed.
• After 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in one glass of warm water) 3-4 times per day, always after meals. Be very careful not to dislodge any blood clot in the tooth socket as these stop the area from bleeding and help protect from infection.
• If you do experience bleeding from the socket, apply pressure by biting down on a clean, rolled-up handkerchief that you have placed over the area. Do this for about ten minutes. Repeat if still bleeding. If bleeding has not stopped after about 30 minutes, contact A&E
• You will experience varying degrees of pain and it is advised to take regular painkillers to relieve any pain/soreness/jaw ache.
• You may experience some swelling to your jaw and face for a few days. A cold compress can help ease this. Sleeping propped up with an extra pillow can also make you feel more comfortable.
• Any bruising of the jaw muscles can cause stiffness and this tends to wear off after seven to ten days.
• Eat a well-balanced but soft diet for a few days until you feel able to chew carefully with your remaining teeth.
• Brush your teeth carefully and avoid any sockets. A child toothbrush is smaller and may be easier to use.
• It is rare, but sometimes there may be tingling or numbness to the face, lips or tongue. This tends to settle after a few days.
• Make sure you complete any course of antibiotics given to you and take the medication as advised
• Avoid smoking or at least cut down. Smoking affects the body’s ability to heal and can irritate the open sockets, which will cause more pain. Staff can offer advice, aids (e.g., nicotine patches) and support group contacts to help you quit.
• Contact the practice if you have any concerns following discharge home or if you experience any worsening pain or swelling, uncontrollable bleeding from the sockets or a raised temperature