We are delighted at FHDC to have been providing dental care again since June when dental practices were allowed to reopen post the Covid 19 lock-down. It has been wonderful for the team to provide a near complete range of services for our patients and to see both new and familiar faces again.
CQC Assessment of FHDC
FHDC was recently assessed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) who were pleased about the approach that we have taken since June and are confident that we are managing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as possible. More information on FHDC’s approach to safety can be found here.
A second lock-down?
FHDC designed its Covid-19 safety measures based on those created for Urgent Dental Centres during the ‘Red Phase’ of the lock-down period March – June. We have worked hard to train our team and source PPE, and we believe that we should be able to continue to provide our dental services, even if lock-down measures are re-introduced. We do however recommend that you maintain your routine appointments and that if you have any dental concerns, that you do not delay getting these addressed. This has been a very disruptive year and there is no guarantee that there will not be further disruption to our service.
Keeping Safe
If you have not yet visited FHDC since we have reopened, please ensure that you follow the strict social distancing rules that we have introduced and that will be explained to you when you book your appointment. This is to ensure your safety and that of our team.
These measures include:
– Letting us know when you have arrived for your appointment by calling us rather than coming to the door.
– Not arriving early for your appointment, as we are unable to admit you to the practice, due to strict management of people numbers inside.
– Always wearing a face mask.
– Attending appointments alone (unless you require assistance).
Please also use our new Patient Portal for online form filling before coming to the practice. This really helps save time and ensures that your dentist has all the required information in advance.
Dental Hygiene Services
A dental hygiene service is available on Wednesdays with Zoe Casey, our dental hygienist. These are currently 30 minute appointments and utilise a ‘hand scaling & polishing’ technique rather than ultrasonic hand-pieces (which currently have restricted use). Appointments can either be booked by registered patients online via our new online booking service on our website, or you can call us on 0113 275 1323 during normal practice hours.
New Patients
We have seen an increase in calls from people who are unable to access dental care. If you have friends and family that need a dentist, we are registering a limited number of new patients. New patient consultations can be booked via here online.
Available services
In addition to a return to routine dentistry and hygiene services, we are now also providing cosmetic dentistry including Teeth Whitening and Teeth Straightening. In fact we are now providing most dental services again albeit with enhanced measure in place.
Goodbye Kim
Finally we are sad to say goodbye to dentist Kim Russell who is taking a career break from dentistry. The whole team at FHDC wish Kim and her family all the best for the future. She will be missed.
