COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM MELBOURNE DENTISTRY

Melbourne Dentistry is Open!

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE - 13th Feb 2021

The Victorian Government has imposed a state-wide Stage 4 lockdown, with restrictions coming into effect from 11.59pm on the 12th of Feb until 11.59pm Wednesday 17th Feb.

During this time, the government has indicated only certain dental emergencies can be managed within the private dental practice.

These include -

patients with obvious facial swelling due to infection
facial trauma
severe unrelenting pain

This clarification was received only hours before the lockdown began. If you have a dental appointment already scheduled during the aforementioned period - which does not fall into the above categories - we will be in touch to reschedule your booking.

Thanking you for your understanding.

Please continue to check our website for COVID-19 information updates regarding dental care restrictions in Victoria and our practice during the pandemic.

We are Here for You!

We value caring for our patients and ensuring all are safe during these challenging times. Melbourne Dentistry is open during our usual hours of 7.00am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. You are able to view available appointment times and schedule your dental visits online should you wish to, at anytime 24/7, at melbournedentistry.com/book-online/

Our practice telephone line, 9650 0033 is diverted to the mobile phone of our practice principal, Dr Maria Petricevic, Dentist, each night, after business hours and on weekends, to ensure you are able to discuss your dental health concerns with her during this crisis. Dr Maria may also be contacted via email at info@melbournedentistry.com.

Your Safety at the Dentist during COVID-19

In order to ensure we are providing the highest level of safety for our patients, we follow the currently recommended Government and Health Department guidelines for COVID-19. We have implemented protocols as part of our practice COVID Safe Plan regarding patient screening and appointment scheduling, social distancing in our waiting room, hand washing, mask wearing, and continuous daily environmental cleaning, above and beyond what we usually do.

We have hand sanitizer readily available upon entry to and exit from our dental practice. Plexiglass screens are in place at our practice reception desk to protect our staff.

We measure body temperature and note contact details of all who enter our practice on a daily basis. We also track the health and temperature of our team each day.

Infection control at our practice is of paramount importance and is maintained at the highest standard at all times. It is a requirement for dental practices to undertake additional patient management techniques for practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic. These protocols have been developed by the ADA in conjunction with the Australian Health Protection Principles Committee (AHPPC). These techniques enable us to reduce the generation of aerosols during dental procedures to protect the safety of all patients, practitioners and staff.

Your Dental Appointment during COVID-19

We ask all patients to please be forthcoming regarding the state of their health. Please let us know about how you are feeling when you book your appointment, when we confirm your appointment and prior to attending for your dental appointment.

If you have any of the below symptoms, please let us know. We can postpone your dental appointment until you are able to obtain a COVID-19 test to determine your health status. You must stay at home and isolate while you are waiting to get your COVID-19 test results.

Out of consideration for the safety of our dental practitioner, staff and all our other patients, along with the community at large, you will need to be clear of the virus in order to attend for dental treatment at our practice. We will postpone your dental appointment until you have your COVID-19 test results. If your COVID-19 test results demonstrate you have tested negative, your dental appointment may proceed.

Should you test positive to the COVID-19 virus, we wish you a speedy and safe recovery. We will require written confirmation when you are clear of the COVID-19 virus before you are able to subsequently present for dental care at our practice.

COVID-19 symptoms may be mild and may consist of any one of the below -

fever
runny nose
sore throat
cough
shortness of breath
loss of the sense of smell or taste
unusual fatigue
ongoing headaches
chills or aches and pains
abdominal symptoms such as nausea, cramps or diarrhoea
conjunctivitis
an unexplained rash

YOU HAVE COVID-19 OR SUSPECT YOU MAY HAVE COVID-19 and need urgent dental care?

You are not alone! If you are COVID-19 positive or are awaiting results and require emergency dental treatment please call us to advise us of your circumstances. There are ADA and DHHS guidelines for assisting confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients with the provision of urgent dental care.

We can consult with you via teledentistry and then refer you to an acute hospital specifically equipped to provide urgent dental treatment to confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients, if this is necessary.

Recovering from COVID-19?

We will require a 'Letter of Clearance' from state or territory health authorities to confirm when you are no longer infectious before you may attend for dental care at Melbourne Dentistry. The 'Letter of Clearance' will state you are no longer required to be in isolation and can return to normal life in the community because you are clear of the COVID-19 virus.

Please call our practice on 9650 0033 or email our team at info@melbournedentistry.com to inform us of your circumstances prior to attending for a dental appointment. If you require any further clarification regarding the aforementioned COVID-19 information, please don't hesitate to contact our practice for assistance.

Wearing a Mask?

All individuals attending our dental practice, aged 12 years and older, are expected to wear a facial covering such as a disposable or cloth mask over their nose and mouth upon entry to the practice.

We can safely dispose of your disposable mask when you commence your appointment at the practice and we will provide you with a new disposable mask to wear home after your appointment, should you need one.

If you are using a re-usable cloth mask, we are able to provide you with a clear plastic clip lock bag for the safe and hygienic storage of your mask while you are having your appointment, if you do not have one of your own.

Should you need any further COVID-19 information regarding dental care and/or advice or information on wearing or obtaining a mask, please contact us on 9650 0033.

Resources