Update on Bupa Dental Care’s COVID-19 precautions
Update on Bupa Dental Care’s COVID-19 precautions
Bupa Dental Care’s safety measures to help protect our patients and colleagues from the potential risk of COVID-19 will remain in place even though there is no longer a legal requirement for people with coronavirus (COVID-19) infection to self-isolate. However, the public health advice for people with any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test result is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Due to the higher risk nature of health and social care settings which includes dental practices, the advice for staff members working in these settings has not changed.
The use of face masks and other COVID-19 precautions in Bupa Dental Care dental settings will continue to be a requirement of all patients, visitors and staff.
This is in line with government guidance for healthcare settings* which Bupa Dental Care is obliged to follow to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Our general advice summary for all visitors to a Bupa Dental Care Practice is as follows:
- Visitors must not attend a dental practice if they have COVID-19 symptoms [e.g., high temperature, new continuous cost, loss of changes to taste and smell], or have received a positive test result
- All visitors must wear a face covering (unless exempt), adhere to social distancing and infection control measures while in the practice
These safety measures are in place for everyone’s protection. We’re still the same friendly people and we will continue to look after you and put your care first. Watch our short video for reassurance on what to expect.
Our safety charter
The current safety measures to help protect patients and colleagues from the potential risk of COVID-19 will remain in place.
This is in line with government guidance for healthcare settings that we are obliged to follow.
Face mask
You'll be given a mask to wear on arrival. Our staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment to ensure their safety - as well as yours.
Social distancing
We’ve adjusted our waiting areas and spaced out appointments – so you can maintain safe social distancing while waiting for your appointment.
Arrival etiquette
To limit the number of people in the practice, please ensure you don’t turn up too early or be late. Please come alone, unless necessary, and only bring essential belongings.
Maintain essential hygiene
You must clean your hands as you enter the practice using the antibacterial gel provided.
Protective screens
You’ll notice that we’ve installed plastic screens at the front of our reception desks. This will keep you and our staff safe when you check-in or rebook another appointment.
More frequent, deeper cleans
We’re performing deeper, thorough and more frequent cleans – especially in our surgeries. These are scheduled throughout the day to fit around appointments.
Our safety steps
Before you enter the practice
Please don’t arrive too early or be late for your appointment. This will help us maintain social distancing by avoiding a ‘build-up’ of patients within the practice.
Please don’t bring anyone else into the practice with you unless necessary. Exceptions include a parent/guardian of children under 18 years old, or a carer.
Please bring as little belongings with you as possible, this limits the risk of any contamination.
Inside the practice
We’ve adjusted our waiting areas and spaced out appointments – so you can maintain safe social distancing.
You must clean your hands using the antibacterial gel provided as soon as you enter the practice.
You’ll be given a mask to wear on arrival to ensure your safety during your visit. Our staff will also be wearing appropriate PPE to ensure your safety.
On your arrival, you’ll be asked some health-related questions.
Plastic screens have been installed on our reception desks. Please try and maintain a 2m distance from the reception desk and avoid touching the screen.
We’ll ask you to keep all belongings with you and avoid leaving the waiting area until you are collected for your appointment.
Patients’ bathrooms are still operational but please ask the receptionist before use. This will ensure we know the facilities have been used and can clean appropriately.
After your appointment
To keep you safe, we’ll ask you to use contactless payment instead of cash wherever possible. You can book any future appointments or follow-ups with our receptionist.
If within 10 days of your appointment you begin to develop any symptoms of possible COVID-19, such as a high fever or a new continuous cough, you should contact the practice to inform them and follow the appropriate self-isolation advice.
Our COVID-19 safety tariff
We’re charging a separate safety tariff for some private appointments, where we need to take additional safety measures due to the ongoing pandemic. This is to cover the costs of additional personal protective equipment and cleaning requirements, mandated by Public Health England (PHE). When you book your appointment, we’ll let you know if your appointment requires an extra charge.
We’ve taken the decision to charge a separate tariff, rather than include it in the price of your treatment. This is because we believe the additional safety requirements by PHE will be removed over the coming months and we want to eliminate this cost for our patients when it’s no longer required.
We are committed to keeping the tariff to a minimum and will remove it when we can.
Find out more about our COVID-19 safety tariff*Source: COVID-19: infection prevention and control Jan 2022
^ We may record or monitor our calls.
Bupa Dental Care is a trading name of Oasis Dental Care Limited. Registered in England and Wales No: 00478127. Registered office: Bupa Dental Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom BS16 1GW.
Oasis Dental Care Limited has a number of trading names including Bupa Dental Care. For a list of all our different trading names please follow this link.
