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  • Wentworth Avenue
  • Slough
  • Berkshire
  • SL2 2DG

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  • Wentworth Avenue
  • Slough
  • Berkshire
  • SL2 2DG
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Our newsletter: Just checking in

20th April 2020

We hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well and we want to thank you for your continued support and understanding during these difficult times.

As promised in our most recent letter, we will keep in touch with you and keep you updated with our situation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At present the guidance from the Government and NHS England is that we must remain closed until further instruction.

Why are we closed?

We have had a few patients question the need for dental practices to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The simple answer is, because we have been instructed to do so.

However, we would like to help patients understand the transmission methods of COVID-19 and how dental treatment is particularly dangerous during this outbreak.

The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. It is also believed that this virus can be contracted from touching infected surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose or face before adequately washing your hands.

If you are infected with the COVID-19 virus, even standard breathing in close proximity to another person can result in cross contamination and transmission of the virus to anyone stood within your vicinity. Coughing and sneezing only heightens this threat and increases chances of others contracting the virus from you.

In dentistry, the risk of transmission is extremely high considering the proximity and contact between patient and dentist/dental nurse. Taking this risk level into consideration, and the governments latest guidelines regarding non-essential travel, all dental practices were instructed to cease all physical dental treatment until it is deemed safe to do so.

We understand, if you suffer a dental problem at home this could be a daunting and distressing experience for you. Especially knowing you can’t just visit us like you normally would. However, we are here to help, more details of how you can reach us are provided in the next part of this letter.

Here is a brief explanation of what does and doesn’t constitute a dental emergency:

Non Emergency

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms you can potentially treat the problem at home, or talk to your usual dental practice:

  • A minor toothache which comes and goes, or causes a dull aching pain
  • Pain in your wisdom teeth with no swelling or restricted opening of the mouth
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Sensitive or bleeding gums
  • A sharp pain when biting down
  • Mouth ulcers which have been present for less than 10 days
  • Orthodontic pain or problems
  • A broken or chipped tooth
  • A loose or missing crown or veneer
  • Discomfort from dentures

In the event of the above we are on hand to provide advice on how to manage the situation at home.

Dental Emergency

  • Swelling of your gum, cheek or face which is spreading. If the swelling is spreading down your neck, up to your eye or along the floor of your mouth YOU MUST ENSURE YOU MENTION THIS when you contact the practice
  • Excruciating pain which is causing a lack of sleep or concentration
  • Mouth ulcers which haven’t healed after two weeks
  • Recently had a tooth extraction and are experiencing bleeding which lasts more than 20 minutes, and can’t be stopped by biting down hard into a hankie/gauze
  • Been following self-help advice for your problem but the pain is getting worse
  • A broken tooth, which is causing pain and damage to your cheek or tongue, that you haven’t been able to manage with self-help advice
  • Knocked-out a tooth
  • Controlled bleeding due to facial trauma

In the event of the above we will arrange for a dentist to call you within 1 business day to assist you with your matter.

Urgent Emergency

  • Facial swelling affecting your vision, breathing, affecting your ability to swallow or preventing you from opening your mouth more than two fingers wide
  • Trauma causing loss of consciousness, double vision or vomiting
  • Rapid and uncontrollable bleeding from your mouth

In the event of the above we advise that you should go straight to your nearest A&E as these issues could be life threatening.

If you need us….

Our phone line is still operational during our opening hours. Currently we are still providing telephone advice for patients who are experiencing dental emergencies. We would ask that patients avoid calling 111 where possible and contact us as normal if they have a query.

Alternatively we are offering video appointments with Dr Gill. This allows you to see Dr Gill and speak to him regarding any dental problems you may be experiencing.

Read the full edition here »

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Moonlight Dental Surgery. Wentworth Avenue, Slough Berkshire SL2 2DG

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