Coronavirus Pandemic at BPDS

BPDS offers NHS and private dentistry within Wales and complies with the guidance for both as set out for Wales*. Details of the changes are listed below but current situation summarised

Current situation:- into 2021

BPDS is operating a locked door policy. Patients will only be admitted for a booked appointment. In order to assist in distancing we request phone/email etc contact in the first instance.

• “Routine” Dentistry is prioritsed for those with the highest need
  • Those with problems
  • Those with known treatment needs
  • Those with the highest risk assessment
• The practice remains open for emergency care and advice. Please call us in normal hours with any questions or problems.
  • 1st line “3As” – Advised, Analgisics (painkillers), Antibiotics.
  • F2F (Face to Face)contact limited to emergencies (as defined by the Welsh Chief Dental Officer (WCDO)March 17th 202o:
    • Where remote advice is not possible
    • Where remote advice has been attempted and not worked
    • Limited to non-AGP (Aerosol Generating Procedures)
  • Referral to UDC (Urgent Dental Centres) for AGP treatments
    • Strictly limited to the most appropriate cases

As de-escalation progresses we would appreciate if patients assist us to prioritise the treatment need within our guidance by not contacting to book routine care until further notice.

*Please note that English de-escalation plans differ from Wales and we are obliged to apply the Welsh plans.

Next Steps

It is likely that we will soon enter an “enhanced amber” phase. This will allow us to beginning assessing the definitive treatment needs of patients that have had problems over the lock down period as well as completing treatments that were already started –  still within the restrictions of No AGPs. As soon as we have a date we will begin to contact patients, prioritised for those with most need that we feel the current restrictions will allow us to treat.

Please only contact the practice if you have an urgent need. Routine appointments will not be booked until further notice – in line with the All Wales de escalation planning.

TIMELINE

28th May – English return to dentistry on 8th June announced – Welsh social restrictions relaxed to 2 families meeting at social distance. Dental restrictions remain unchanged in Wales

22nd May – NHS reform plans – draft proposals received for NHS reform to accommodate de-escalation and new ways of working

22nd May – Welsh De-escalation draft plans announced. NHS and private dentistry remains on lockdown. Phased step down announced through

• High Amber – F2F emergency care with non AGPs
• Low Amber – Routine dentistry introduced with non AGPs
• Green – “New Normal” dentistry returns

6th April – BPDS introduces remote working for staff to manage patient calls/appointment cancellations with skeleton staff on site

30th March – BPDS instigates staff rotation  to manage urgent needs of our patients while facilitating social distancing

23rd March – Red Alert level. Routine dentistry ceases. Practices are limited to non AGP procedures where 3As not appropriate or effective. UDCs established with enhanced PPE for AGP procedures

17th March – Normal dentistry ceases in Wales. Routine appointments were cancelled and  efforts made to stabilise patients for anticipated lockdown