March 18, 2020
We consider all our patients as part of the Coastal Dental Care family and your safety remains our highest priority. As the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation evolves, we want to share some important information about the steps we are taking to minimise the risk of exposure to our patients, our staff and the greater community. Our team is here to address any concerns you may have about attending forthcoming appointments.
Our greatest priority is the health and safety of you, our valued patients, and all our team members.
Open for business as usual
Despite the many logistic challenges currently facing the Dental industry, we can reassure you that all Coastal Dental Care practices are fully equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (such as masks and gloves) and are operating as normal. All dental treatments are being completed in the usual safe manner, complying with Australian Dental Association (ADA) standards.
Our infection control processes are compliant with Dental Board of Australia, ADA Guidelines, and Australian Standards. This ensures that all our facilities are cleaned and disinfected at all times.
In addition to our already-strict hygiene protocols, to ensure that each of our facilities are clean hygienic environments for everyone, we have these measures:
- Outside the surgical rooms, in the waiting room and other areas, we have implemented very stringent procedures, including, but not limited to, the careful and regular use of disinfectant wipes on all surfaces in all public areas including the reception desk. Hand sanitiser is readily available to all patients and staff throughout the practice. We ask that all persons attending the practice to sanitise their hands wherever possible, including entering and leaving our practice
- Check-in all visitors to the clinic, including patients, staff, couriers
- All staff is mandated to regularly wash their hands for at least 20 seconds
- Waiting room set up to maintain 1.5m of safe distance between patients (social distancing)
- Dental staff is as per usual wearing surgical masks
- Staff returning from affected regions, or in close contact with people from high risk areas, or who show relevant symptoms are required to have self/home quarantine for 14 days before being allowed back to work
- Patients who have recently returned from a country or region that is at high or moderate risk of COVID-19, or think they may have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, are asked not to enter the practice. Instead, we encourage them to call our front desk team to discuss rescheduling options.
Other precaution measures
As a precaution, we have also reduced the number of team members working together. It is a precautionary but necessary measure to ensure we can keep serving you during this time of uncertainty. We are following general government guidance on reducing transmission risks and this will be assessed daily.
We will keep you informed as to any developments regarding this situation. If you have any questions or concerns, we invite you to contact us at any time. We will be happy to provide you with any further information that you require.