If you need dental services, you’ll be pleased to know that quite a number of our practices around the UK are up and ready to facilitate our patients with face-to-face care. However, it should be noted that we’re currently prioritising our services for various emergency appointments. So, if you’re faced with a dental emergency, be sure to contact The Dental Practice immediately.
As such, we’ve drafted a guidance plan to ensure that you know what you’ll need to do next. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, dental care has drastically changed. With the new social distancing rules, most persons find it very difficult to access services as they did before. Read on as we dive into some more information on how you can access NHS dental services during the ongoing pandemic.
How Do I Find A Dentist?
To get the help that you need, you can do one of the following:
- Call your local dentist to gather information on how you can get the attention and care that you need as well as their opening hours.
- If your regular dentist is closed, it is advised that you contact NHS 111 where translation services will be provided if needed.
- If you’re either hard of hearing or deaf, please visit https://interpreternow.co.uk/nhs111 for more information.
Whatever you do, it is not recommended that you visit a dental clinic without an appointment. This piece of advice should be taken seriously. Most if not all practices are only attending to patients according to their needs. Hence, the British Dental Association advises on the following:
- Upon calling, you’ll be asked a couple of questions. However, it should be noted that you will be asked the same questions again during your dentist visit.
- You may be requested to either wash your hands or use a hand sanitiser whenever you arrive at the office. When leaving, the same rules may apply.
- Strict social distancing rules will be applicable in all waiting rooms.
- Appointments will be managed carefully to ensure that all patients practice social distancing. This just simply means that you can expect fewer options when making the appointment.
What Is Defined As A Dental Emergency During The Coronavirus Outbreak?
The following are considered a dental emergency and you are advised to contact your local practice if you experience them:
- Knocked out a tooth
- Swelling of the face, gums or cheek. If the swelling begins to spread to your eyes, down your neck, through the floor of your mouth, please contact the local practice immediately.
- If two weeks have already passed and your mouth ulcers haven’t healed.
- Terrible pain that prevents you from concentrating or sleeping.
- Bleeding after your tooth extraction. If the bleeding doesn’t stop even after biting down on gauze, you need to get in contact with a dentist as soon as possible.
- If you’re suffering from a broken tooth that damages your tongue or your cheek.
- An increase in pain that doesn’t subside no matter what you do.
- Bleeding as a result of facial trauma.
Non-Emergency:
If any of the following fit your circumstances, you can treat the issue at home:
- Sensitive teeth
- Bleeding or sensitive gums
- When biting down causes sharp pains
- Mouth ulcers that have been around for less than 10 days
- Toothaches that come or go ever so often
- Pain in the wisdom teeth without swelling
- A chipped or broken tooth
- A missing or loose veneer or crown
- Orthodontic problems or pain
- Denture discomfort
Accident And Emergency:
If you’re suffering from any of the following, you’ll need to head to accident and emergency:
- Vomiting, double vision, or loss of consciousness from trauma
- Swelling that affects your ability to breathe, see, swallow, or even open your mouth more than the width of two fingers
- Uncontrollable or rapid bleeding from within your mouth