Openwide: dentists toreturn

Dentists across Forth Valley can reopen to treat patients who need urgent dental care.

Since lockdown began dentists have only been able to arrange emergency treatment at the urgent dental care centre (UDCC) in Falkirk.

Now, in line with the latest guidance, each dental practice can open for their own patients but will be limited to a list of 10 patients per day.

The dental practices have been risk-assessed to offer patients a service where physical distancing of 2 metres can be applied and the dentists have been provided with PPE for each patient.

Dentists will see patients for pain, infection, trauma or a worrying patch in the mouth.

Routine inspections and fillings will not be carried out at this stage.

Dentists will also not be able to carry out any procedure that generates water droplets in the air so they are unable to provide any treatments which require dental drilling.

NHS Forth Valley’s dental director Jennifer Rodgers said: “There is a risk to patients and dental staff when using dental equipment that generates an aerosol and this includes fillings, crown preparation and surgical or complex extractions.

“These procedures will still not be possible in dental practices in Scotland at this time. For patients who have an emergency that urgently requires one of these procedures their dentist will make arrangements to see them in the nearest UDCC, where special precautions have been put in place.”

Ms Rodgers added: “Over the past 10 weeks many of the Forth Valley dental practice dentists have volunteered to work in the UDCCs of the Public Dental Service as well as in other roles in the health board.

“This was a unique situation and I would like to thank all staff of the Public Dental Service, as well as the dental practices, for their willing and dedication to helping the people of Forth Valley and their colleagues during this outbreak.”

Although dental practices can open from June 22 some practices may open after that date.