Coronavirus information for Patients
Update 16th July 2021:
In line with regulatory guidance, Public Health England's infection prevention control guidelines will continue to remain in place for all staff and patients from Monday 19th July 2021.
Staff, patients and visitors will be expected to continue to follow social distancing rules and continue using face coverings when attending the dental practice.
We will continue to deliver your dental care from what has always been an exceptionally safe, clinical environment.
Priority appointments are continued to be offered to patients requiring urgent care or facing a dental emergency.
Overdue dental check ups, routine dental care and hygienist appointments can be booked by calling reception on 01332 280557 or via our contact form
Thank you for continuing to help us help keep you safe.
Government guidance: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Update 4th January 2021:
Following the latest government guidance, we are pleased to inform our patients that this will not be affecting the dental practice.
We will remain open throughout the forthcoming lockdown period and will be delivering your dental care from what has always been an exceptionally safe, clinical environment.
Priority appointments are being offered to patients who require urgent care or facing a dental emergency, alongside a phased return for overdue dental check ups and routine dental care.
Staff, patients and visitors will be expected to continue to follow social distancing rules and continue using face coverings when attending the dental practice.
Hygienist appointments are now available and can be booked by calling reception on 01332 280557 or via our contact form.
Government guidance: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Update 31st October 2020:
Following the Prime Minister's circuit breaker announcement this evening, we are pleased to inform our patients that this will not be affecting the dental practice. Since national lockdown earlier this year, scientists have gained significant insights into how Covid-19 spreads. The stringent cross infection protocols and measures which have always been in place in a dental practice pre-Covid have been further enhanced to an exceedingly high level since we reopened to deliver your dental care from what has always been an exceptionally safe, clinical environment.
We are continuing to operate and deliver dental services as we have been doing over the previous few months.
Priority appointments are being offered to patients requiring emergency dental treatment and urgent care. Requests for overdue dental check ups and routine care will be met when patients requiring urgent dental care have been accomodated. Hygienist appointments are now available and can be booked by calling reception on 01332 280557 or via our contact form
We kindly request you to follow the following practice guidelines when attending the practice for your appointments:
• Do not come to the dental practice if you have any Covid-19 symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate.
• Please wear a face mask when entering and leaving the building.
• We will be carrying out temperature checks and requesting you to sanitise your hands on arrival.
• Please observe social distancing from other patients whilst in communal and waiting areas.
• Appointments and footfall will be managed with more time between patients to allow for social distancing.
• Our on-site washroom facilities are limited, please utilise off site washroom facilities wherever possible and before attending your appointment.
• Extra time is being required for additional decontamination, fallow time and cleaning between patients. This means we can offer fewer options for scheduling appointments.
• We are encouraging card and contactless pre-payments wherever possible.
• Staff are wearing additional protective clothing including filtration masks, visors, aprons, gloves.
If you haven't heard from us, we haven't forgotten about you. We are still prioritising urgent and high care needs and wish to reassure you we are and will continue to be here for you.
We want to sincerely thank you all for your understanding and wonderful support and look forward to seeing you soon.
Update 17th August 2020:
We are pleased to inform you that the practice is now open and delivering a phased return to services. Priority appointments are being offered to patients requiring emergency dental treatment and urgent care. Requests for overdue dental check ups and routine care will be met when patients requiring urgent dental care have been accomodated. Hygienist appointments are now available and can be booked by calling reception on 01332 280557 or via our contact form
You may notice some changes when you next come in to see us. These will include:
• A request to attend your appointment alone unless there are exceptional circumstances.
• We will contact you before your appointment to ask some screening questions and you may be asked those same questions again when you enter the practice.
• You will have your temperature checked on arrival. If you have a high temperature, your appointment will be rescheduled.
• You will be required to sanitise/wash your hands when you attend for your dental appointment.
• Appointments and footfall will be managed with more time between patients, to allow for social distancing.
• Our on-site washroom facilities will be very limited, you may therefore wish to utilise off site washroom facilities before attending your dental appointment.
• Extra time will be required for additional decontamination, fallow time and cleaning between patients. This might mean that we can offer fewer options for scheduling your appointment and your patience and understanding would be appreciated.
• We ask that you arrive on time for your appointment or wait in your car if you are a little early as we are limiting the use of our practice waiting areas.
• Card and contactless pre-payments will be encouraged so we can aim to be paperless wherever possible.
• Staff will be wearing additional protective clothing including filtration masks, visors, aprons, gloves.
If you haven't heard from us, we haven't forgotten about you. Due to current guidelines, we are able to see fewer patients each day and as we have a backlog of patients to care for, we are trying to prioritise those with the most urgent needs.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support and thank you for being our patients. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to seeing you soon.
Update 15th June 2020:
We are now open on a phased return to services with prority appointments for patients requiring emergency treatment and urgent dental care. We have implemented additional strict safety measures and rigorous protocols as the safety and well-being of our patients and team is our utmost priority. We will not initially be able to offer routine dental appointments to anyone other than those in need of urgent dental treatment. We kindly request that unless you require advice for pain or urgent dental care, you do not call or come to the practice so that we can focus our efforts on those with the greatest of need. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
Update 29th May 2020:
Following the government announcement that dental practices can re-open from 8th June, we know many of our patients will be wanting to know when they can book in for appointments. In line with government and regulatory guidance, a phased return will require implementation of additional strict safety measures, rigorous protocols and adequate PPE. Please rest assured that the safety and well-being of our patients and team is of utmost priority and we are working hard to implement required measures before we can open our doors to see you. It is highly unlikely that we will initially be able to offer routine dental appointments to anyone other than those with an urgent need for treatment. We kindly request that unless you require advice for pain or urgent dental care, you do not call or come to the practice so that we can focus our efforts on those with the greatest of need. Throughout the pandemic, we have provided emergency triage services, telephone advice and precriptions to patients. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding and will keep you updated.
Update 25th March 2020:
We are open for EMERGENCIES ONLY. All routine dentistry and dental care of non-urgent nature will need to be deferred.
Contact us for emergency care
Managing Toothache during self isolation
Useful information can be found on the website link below (Offsite link opens in a new window)
Update 19 March 2020:
The Oakwood Dental Centre and Cosmetic Whites Smiles Clinic would like to reassure you that patient and staff health and safety is of paramount importance to us.
We have been closely monitoring the evolving situation relating to Covid-19 and have implemented strict control measures following updates, guidance and advice issued by Public Health England, UK government, WHO, NHS and CQC.
Please do not attend the dental practice if:
- You or anyone in your household has a temperature of 37.8C and/or a new continuous cough
- You have been in contact with someone with confirmed Coronavirus
- You are self-isolating in line with the Government guidelines
- You fall into the vulnerable category as defined by the UK Government
Important advice when you attend for your dental appointment
In line with the latest Government advice, we kindly request you to:
- Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds or use the sanitisers provided on entering and leaving the building
- Avoid direct or close contact with people who may be unwell
- Maintain a good social distance from other patients and receptionists in the waiting area
- Avoid touching or shaking hands.
- Try to avoid attending appointments in large groups to minimise overcrowding in the waiting area