Seeing an Emergency Dentist During Coronavirus

Are you in need of an emergency dentist visit?

In the time of COVID-19, many people hesitate before going to the dentist. Most worry about the risk of catching the coronavirus while around many other patients. Some even fear having to take their masks off when they sit in the dentist’s chair.

Yet, if you’re experiencing an emergency dental situation, such as tooth pain, you might wonder whether or not you can get treated without risking your life. 

Fortunately, we now know much more about the virus than we did at the start of the pandemic, and dental offices have taken measures to mitigate the risk. This makes them much safer to visit.

Keep reading to learn more about staying safe in the dentist’s office during COVID-19.

Emergency Dentist During Coronavirus Lockdown

Recently, the British government introduced a mandatory nationwide lockdown, closing restaurants and other non-essential shops and asking people to stay home whenever possible.

This happened in response to coronavirus case numbers spiking in many areas of the UK, and people do indeed need to take precautions. But what happens when you are in need of an emergency dentist procedure?

First of all, rest assured that going to the dentist does not violate the government lockdown. Dental practices are essential services and have thus been permitted to remain open. 

Second, dental clinics around the country are taking every precaution to keep patients safe. As dental professionals, we acknowledge the duty we have to serve the public and follow medical advice to prevent the virus from entering or spreading in our offices. 

So, if you have an emergency, don’t hesitate to make an appointment. Rest assured we are doing everything we can to make sure all of our patients are safe.

Seeing a Dentist During COVID 19

What can you expect when you come to The Dental Centre during a pandemic lockdown?

As professional healthcare provider, we’ve implemented a variety of steps to ensure the safety of both our patients and our staff without compromising the quality of our care. 

First, make an appointment with our staff, requesting one of our services. To do this, either phone us at 020 7380 0034 or fill out our online booking form. If you believe you’re experiencing a dental emergency, let us know so that we can get you in as quickly as possible. 

Before your appointment, we will ask you some COVID-19 screening questions. If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms before your appointment, please let us know.

Then, on the agreed-upon date and time, arrive at our practice. Because COVID-19 most easily spreads through human-to-human contact, we respectfully ask that you wait in your vehicle or in the car park instead of in our building. When we are ready for you, one of our associates will give you a call or text. You may then approach the building, where someone will open the door for you.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 further, we ask that you come to your appointment alone, wearing a mask. If you don’t have a mask, just let us know. We can provide one for you.

In the Practice

Once you’ve entered the practice, you’ll be asked COVID-19 screening questions again. This repetition is not meant to pry into your personal health. Rather, we ask these questions in order to maintain the good health of everyone who enters our practice. Those feeling unwell should let us know at this time.

You will also be asked to sanitize your hands, and one of our colleagues will take your temperature. Then, you will be taken to the washroom to make sure your hands are thoroughly cleaned.

Throughout your time at the practice, both you and our staff will adhere to the rules of social distancing, staying at least 2 metres apart. Even when they must get closer to you to have a look at your teeth, they will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to make sure nothing spreads from them to you and vice versa.

Each member of our staff has received thorough training in preventing the spread of infections. They have their temperatures checked each morning before coming to work and must follow strict hygiene regimens. We also disinfect tools and items between uses.

Urgent Dental Care Hubs

Need to get into the dentist quickly?

In order to respond to the needs of the pandemic, Urgent Dental Care (UDC) hubs have been established in certain areas of the UK. This has helped curb the spread of the virus by diverting people in need of urgent care to different locations, lessening the number of people at any one location.

If you’re a patient of ours already and would like to take advantage of this, give us a ring. One of our employees will ask you questions to assess whether or not you are in need of urgent care and help you set up an appointment at one of the hubs.

Should you not have a dentist or a means to contact one, the NHS asks that you use the NHS 111 service.

When Should You Visit an Emergency Dentist?

Not sure whether or not you should get emergency dental care? 

Here are some symptoms to look out for:

  • Loose teeth or a loose tooth
  • A swollen jaw
  • A severe toothache, or a toothache followed by no pain (this indicates an infection that could have spread)
  • Bleeding or aching gums
  • Persistent canker sores or headaches
  • A mouth that tastes like metal
  • Symptoms of an abscessed tooth (fever, swollen glands, and a foul mouth taste)
  • Exhaustion, which could be caused by the body fighting a mouth infection

If you have any of the above symptoms, please contact us as soon as possible.

Need to Get to the Dentist?

We understand that much of life has changed due to the coronavirus. Yet, we believe that your access to dental care should not change, especially if you need to visit an emergency dentist in London.

As such, The Dental Centre has taken a proactive approach to prevent the spread of the virus. From careful screenings to a staff that wears protective equipment, we are ready to serve you. In addition, we also work with UDCs to get you the care you need without jeopardizing your health.

If you want to make an appointment, make sure you download our discount voucher and get a full dental health check for only £56!