An Update on Dental Care in Orkney - August 2020

In a letter on May 20, the Chief Dental Officer for Scotland outlined his roadmap for the return to routine dental care. The steps are as follows:

• Phase 1: Increasing capacity of Urgent Dental Care Centres.
• Phase 2: Restarting Dental Practices for urgent care not involving an aerosol spray
• Phase 3: Restarting Dental Practices for urgent and routine care not involving and aerosol spray
• Phase 4: Introducing a full range of care at Dental Practices.

Jay Wragg, Director of Dentistry NHS Orkney said "I am pleased to report that the independent practices in Orkney have been proactive in the return of dental care and, since June 29, both Clyde Munro/Orkney Dental and Deyanov Dental have been open in line with phase 2.

There has been a recent announcement that dental practices can move to Phase 3 and it is now possible to access a limited amount of routine care at your dental practice.

Spray and aerosols are still considered to present an increased risk of coronovirus transmission, and so we are not yet back to normal. Treatments involving aerosol spray remain tightly restricted.

However, much dental care does not involve the use of aerosol and can now be carried out, your own dentist will be best placed to advise what they are able to provide to help you.

More than ever, prevention of dental problems is key and each of us is the best person to take ownership of our care by making sure we keep to our daily cleaning routines and adopting a healthy diet."

Your dentist can now support you in taking control of your oral health. They can advise and encourage you to maintain your teeth and gums in the best possible condition.

Should you need to get in touch with a dentist, the access remains as it was in Phase 2 and is described below.

During working hours:

• Patients registered at The Balfour or Garson should contact the Garson Clinic on 01856 850658 where you will be advised accordingly;
• Any patient who is not currently registered and who has an urgent dental problem should contact 01856 850658 and you will be directed accordingly;
• If you are registered at Deyanov Dental, then please contact:

• Deyanov Dental – 07717477629;

• If you are registered at Orkney Dental Kirkwall, Orkney Dental Stromness, or the Daisybank Clinic, then please contact them directly for advice on the following numbers:

• Orkney Dental Kirkwall – 01856 872030
• Orkney Dental Stromness – 01856 852815
• Daisybank Clinic – 01856 870547

Out of hours emergencies:

• Patients should use the usual process and contact NHS 24 (111).

Jay continued "I would respectfully remind everyone that if your problem is urgent, you will be seen, if not, you may be asked to wait.

As the situation evolves, we will be posting updates via social media (Facebook and Twitter) and on NHS Orkney’s website. We would encourage people to check those sources for the latest information.

For generic questions regarding the Coronavirus please visit the NHS Inform website:

(www.nhsinform.scot).

Finally, in what is such a difficult time for everyone, I would like to thank all members of our community for their patience and understanding while dental services have been limited.

I look forward to being able to update that we can take further steps in a return to the new normal, but ask that in the meantime, you consider the limited service available and use your discretion before contacting."