Practice re-opening | Covid-19 | Specialist orthodontist | Dentist | Brace Specialist | Dr Christine | Dr Sinead | Navan Orthodontics

What to expect when my orthodontist re-opens after Covid

We are re-opening our orthodontic practice after Covid-19

Navan Orthodontics has re-opened following the phased re-opening of Ireland during the Covid crisis. This re-opening is supported by the Irish Dental Council. Restrictions across the country have started to ease but we will still need to continue to be careful to protect our patients and our staff. To ensure that everyone knows what they are doing and what to expect when your orthodontist re-opens, we have put together some information for you have read through.

Our goals for re-opening are:

  1. to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and staff
  2. allow extra time for appointments for enhanced disinfection
  3. full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our staff
  4. air purification systems
  5. social distancing protocols  

What to expect when my orthodontist re-opens after Covid-19:

  1. Cold/Flu/Covid symptoms: Please reschedule if you or anyone in your household has been sick in the last 2 weeks. You will be reminded of this in your appointment reminder text.
  2. Please wear a mask: This applies to both the patient and accompanying persons.
  3. Appointment times: Please come to your appointment on time and not before. Do not come to the practice if you don’t have an appointment scheduled.
  4. Cancel appointments if you cannot attend: Appointment times are precious. Please cancel them if you cannot attend so we can offer the appointment to someone else.
  5. Payments: Payments can be made on the day. The card machine is wiped after every use. Alternatively, payments can be taken over the phone.
  6. Hand disinfection station: All patients must use the alcohol disinfection gel as soon as you come in. Please wash your hands also before coming to your appointment.
  7. No touch: Ideally keep your arms folded when in the practice and try to not touch surfaces.
  8. Attend alone if possible: Please attend your appointments alone where possible. We can make appointments, take payments, etc. over the phone. Your orthodontist can phone mum or dad back after the appointment to discuss how your child is doing with their treatment or answer any of your questions. If it is not possible for very small patients to come alone, we would advise for the child to be accompanied by one parent only.
  9. Less patients in the practice: We are booking longer appointment for patients than needed. This will allow for enhanced cleaning and disinfection between patients and reduce patient to patient contact in waiting areas etc. This will mean we will see less patients then normal in a day so again please bear with us as we try to see you all.
  10. Temperature check: We will check your temperature with a no-touch thermometer.
  11. Full PPE for staff: We might look different with all our PPE on but we are still the same underneath.
  12. Closure of bathroom facilities: Patients will not have access to the bathroom while at the practice.
  13. Ventilation: Windows will be open to ensure good ventilation.
  14. Air purifiers: We have invested in air purifiers to clean the air continuously in the practice.
  15. Mouthwash: For certain procedures, we may ask you to do a pre-procedural mouthrinse. This is to reduce potential virus numbers in your oral cavity (mouth).
  16. Good tooth brushing: Please ensure that you brush your teeth thoroughly before coming to your appointment to reduce viral numbers in your oral cavity.
  17. Clear surfaces: You will notice that we have removed magazines etc. from the waiting area.
  18. Signs and barriers: You may notice signs for social distance guidance on the floors, doors etc. We have also fitted screens on the reception desk
  19. Sunglasses: We will ask you to bring sunglasses to your appointment to wear when having your brace adjusted.
  20. Pens:We are actively reducing paper in the office but please bring your own pen if you need to sign any documents.
  21. Limit baggage:Bring only what you need to the appointment.
  22. Post appointment/Covid Symptoms: If you develop symptoms of Covid within 48 hours of your appointment, you must notify the practice immediately.

Thank you

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. We know how keen some of you are to getting back on course with your brace treatment, especially those who were due to have their braces removed. Don’t forget, we are keen to see you too and can’t wait to get back to the job we love – making people smile!

Your safety is our priority

Your safety and the safety of our staff is the most important thing to us. Everything we are doing is done to ensure this.

Some more information

What to normally expect when you visit Navan Orthodontics in non-covid times  https://navanorthodontics.ie/becoming-a-patient/what-to-expect/

Link to Roadmap for re-opening society and business  https://www.gov.ie/en/news/58bc8b-taoiseach-announces-roadmap-for-reopening-society-and-business-and-u/