Welcome to
Edinburgh Dental Studio

Coronavirus / Covid-19 Update – 28th May 2020

The safety of our patients is our paramount concern. Covid-19 has given all of us unprecedented challenges and in the light of advice from both NHS Scotland and the British Dental Association we took steps to postpone all routine treatment and close the practice.

The Government has now set out a Routemap for exiting from Lockdown and we will be following guidance as it is made available.

Lockdown to Phase 1.

In Phase 1, which starts on 28th May, the situation in the practice will not change – but the range of emergency procedures at the Emergency Dental Hubs will be increased.

The practice building will remain closed but we will continue to be available for dental emergency advice from home and you can contact us on 0131 226 3725 or email us at [email protected] . When this telephone number is answered, you will be given the mobile number for the duty dentist and the email address is accessed regularly throughout the day. The Scottish Government and Chief Dental Officer have issued strict protocols to follow for dental emergencies. During normal office hours you should call the practice on the number above, your details will be taken and one of the dentists will call you back. As we use the latest Dental Records software, we have full access to your Dental Record from home. After 6pm, when the practice is completely closed you should contact NHS 24 by dialling 111 and they should be able to give you appropriate advice.

Phase 1 to Phase 2.

When we move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 it is likely that the practice will re-open to see patients with Urgent Care needs and will be able provide a limited amount of emergency care in the practice. Urgent Care Centres will continue to provide urgent aerosol generating procedures (AGPs*). In line with many other businesses we will be re-configuring the practice to provide safe physically distanced care and will provide further details when our plans are confirmed. The move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 will depend on the numbers of new cases in Scotland continuing to decrease and will be announced by the Government at three weekly intervals – but we anticipate this will be either 18th June, 9th July or even 30th July.

Phase 2 to Phase 3.

When we move from Phase 2 to Phase 3, the practice will be open and we will start to see our patients for non-aerosol routine care and we will be catching up with all patients who have had Dental Health Checks and Hygiene appointments cancelled. We will not be able to provide Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs*) and the Urgent Care Hubs will remain open. At the current time, we are unable to give an estimate of when this will be but it is likely to be three to six weeks after the move to Phase 2, depending on progress with the reduction in R rates and incidence of Covid-19.

Throughout the easing of Lockdown and our gradual move to “the new normal”, we will be maintaining close contact with patients who are mid-treatment and we are maintaining contact with everyone who has had appointments postponed. We will be gearing up to resume a full-service level just as soon as we are able to, and we are told it is safe to resume full practice in Phase 4. Throughout Phases 1-3 we will be formulating what Phase 4 will look like depending on guidance issued by Scottish Government and Dental Governing bodies.

In the meantime, we encourage you to follow the guidelines set out by the government to help prevent and reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Stay safe – and we look forward to welcoming you back to the practice very soon.

Graeme and the team at Edinburgh Dental Studio

*Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGPs) examples:

• Use of high-speed handpieces for routine restorative procedures (fillings)
• Use of Cavitron or other mechanised scalers
• Polishing teeth