News
Having been unable to accept new patients to the Practice since 2020 I would like to welcome Audrey Costa to the Practice. Audrey is a very experienced dentist who has worked in Norwich since 2006. She will be available to see patients on Mondays and Fridays. Audrey has a Masters degree in Primary Dental Care which fits with the preventative ethos of the Practice. She will be happy to accept patients from March 20th 2023.
Please note this is an entirely Private Practice. Please contact us - reception@pennywiles.co.uk or call us on 01603 624012 for further details
The Post Pandemic Era
I would like to thank you, the patients, for your patience and forbearance over the last 3 years and for your understanding and cooperation during what has been a very challenging period for all of us.
We have largely weathered the storm and are now beginning to ease back on the restrictions we place on all staff and visitors to the Practice.
The dental profession has always achieved a high standard of infection control having had to adapt to the challenges of other infectious diseases and the fear surrounding them in the past. There are always adaptations that have to be made and conforming with them gives safety and confidence.
What this means in practice:
1. For the visitors to the building:
- The inner front door is still being kept locked and patients are asked to attend as close to their appointment time as possible
- The waiting room is now open.
- Please try to keep the personal belongings that you bring with you to only the most essential and minimum.
- The screen at reception to protect and socially distance receptionists and patients remains in place.
- Pre-appointment risk assessments are still being carried out when we ring to confirm your appointments. These are as irksome for my receptionists as they are for the recipient. Rather like the safety demonstration given to passengers before a plane takes off, familiarity breeds contempt. I realise this is repetitive if you have had a few appointments but due to the rapid onset of Covid symptoms and to respect the safety of all who use the building we have to keep asking these questions and I ask that you pay attention to the questions. These questions have probably been the biggest protection for the visitors and staff at the Practice in the last 3 years.
- Please remember that we treat some very vulnerable patients and respect their fears over contracting Covid and the consequences this could have for them. If we feel there is a possibility of you having been infected, even if you are asymptomatic, we will respectfully request for you to delay booking any appointments with us for 2 weeks, and to follow current government guidelines regarding testing and self-isolating.
- If you attend the Practice and there is any suggestion that you are unwell you will be asked to leave immediately.
- If You Have Symptoms Please Call Us To Rearrange Your Appointment
2. For the Staff
- PPE: you will see that we are now returning back to the PPE that we wore before the Pandemic. We will now only wear the enhanced PPE if we are treating someone with a respiratory condition and their treatment cannot wait until they have recovered.
- Aerosol Management: The coronavirus is spread in droplets, splatter and aerosols produced by an infected person coughing or sneezing and also by contact with surfaces contaminated with aerosol or contact from hands that have been coughed into. We use enhanced ventilation and air filtration in the surgeries to change and clean the air quickly.
Our response to Covid-19 will be constantly reviewed and updated as necessitated by circumstances
over time. If you have any questions regarding this guidance or about your dental care, please do not hesitate to contact us at: reception@pennywiles.co.uk or call us 01603 624012.
I thank you for all your patience and hope that this coming year brings calmer and safer times for us all.
