We would like to take this opportunity to update you on the latest developments at Weir and McClafferty Dental Care. 

With the successful roll out of the vaccine and adherence to the rules we are starting to see some return to normality.  Some warmer weather should hopefully allow more social interactions to occur, in greater numbers, so we can start to see more of friends and family who we’ve missed during a long winter.  We would like to thank all our patients for their kind wishes, gifts and ongoing support throughout this difficult time for everyone.

You may be wondering what the impact of this has been on dental services.  Attending the dentist has been classed as an essential service.  The full range of NHS and private care services remain available for dentists to provide to their patients and out of hours services remain in place as before through NHS24 and the urgent dental care centres.

What’s changed since the first lockdown when dental practices were closed?

Our Dental team have reorganised the practice to ensure COVID-safe working arrangements and patient flow by physical distancing, mask wearing in communal areas, fallow time between aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), ventilation during AGP’s and reducing the number of available appointments. This allows us to continue working as we have been doing over the last few months.

Appointment availability

All of our dental team are now fully vaccinated having had both of our jabs.  This has allowed us to mix the team bubbles with staff moving across teams to assist with the additional cleaning and administration duties.  This has been an immense help in the efficient operation of the clinical areas.

The necessity for fallow time after an AGP means that a surgery can be out of operation for a short time after a procedure has taken place.  There is also the need to continue social distancing within the practice therefore we have made the decision to continue with two teams with less surgeries operating at any time.  This manages the number of patients entering the clinical area at any one time and creates a safe environment for all.

Team 1 work Monday, Tuesday and alternate Fridays with Team 2 covering Wednesday, Thursday and every other Friday.  We have reduced appointment capacity due to the fallow time necessity and the enhanced cleaning required between appointments.  To help mitigate for this we have extended our operating hours from 8:30am-7:30pm Monday-Thursday with Friday being a normal 8:30-5:00.  The practice receives a deep clean of all communal areas at the end of each session as per national guidelines.

If you have any issues during opening hours, please contact the practice on 01475 630396. In cases of severe pain, bleeding, or facial swelling only, out-with these hours, please contact NHS 24 on 111.

Stay safe and remember to adhere to F.A.C.T.S

Best Wishes                                                     The team at Weir & McClafferty Dental Care