For more than a year our personal freedoms have been curtailed to keep Covid-19 at bay.

The restrictions have now been lifted and this is great news for many and we can get back to doing some more of the things that we used to do. The vaccination programme has achieved a great deal in weakening the link between Covid-19 infection and hospitalisation or worse, and it means that we can each now decide the level of risk and exposure we are each happy with, rather than having it decided for us. As we know infection numbers will still rise but if the authorities are right then this will happen without the disastrous consequences for the nation of the last 12 months: only time will tell.

There are however a great many people in our community who are still at serious risk should they be infected with Covid-19, and whilst those people may well choose minimise their personal risk and avoid the newly re-opened and derestricted clubs, pubs, restaurants, cinemas and sports events, etc. they cannot avoid healthcare settings. Seeing a dentist when you have a dental problem is not optional, just as going to a hospital or doctor if you are ill is not.

With this in mind we will be continuing to ask you to wear a mask and to respect our social distancing guidance in the practice, however from September we are delighted to have partially opened our waiting areas. We will continue to screen patients on entry, which will remain by appointment only. We have seen the benefits of filling out the pre appointment forms online and we will continue with this, however if you have problems doing this please feel free to ring us and we can help. Enhanced PPE for staff and extra decontamination steps and time will remain in place, as they have to good effect for the last year, until we are advised by the authorities that inspect and regulate us that it is reasonable to stop this in healthcare settings, which is unlikely to be anytime soon. Hopefully this will put your mind at rest and will explain why some of the changes in society are not mirrored quite so quickly within healthcare.

This next phase will see us continually adapting our service to provide you, our patients with an experience that you feel comfortable with. Whatever happens it’s important to remember, as a community we get through this next chapter together happily, helpfully and healthily.

From all the team at Diana Dental