Welcome to Charming Smiles
We are a family run business proudly offering high quality NHS & Private dentistry in Derby.
Charming Smiles dental practice is said to be one of the oldest practices continuously open at the same location in Derbyshire. We are a family run business. The surgery was taken over in 2012 and we have been modernising the practice ever since.
A helpful guide to your next dental visit
Dear Patient,
Our practice is now open for face to face appointments but we just wanted to be clear that this may not be business as usual. The treatments you are offered may be different and more limited to those you received before, depending on staff and equipment available. It may still be necessary for us to refer you elsewhere for treatment as in this early phase, we will be seeing patients who need urgent dental care only, until we fulfil other safety requirements. It will take some time before services return to what you previously experienced as normal.
Please be patient.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, dental surgeries operated to the highest levels of infection control and decontamination and, like any medical profession, we are used to working in an environment where there is the potential for exposure to viruses and bacteria. We do everything possible to reduce the risk to our team and to our patients. And we do it well!
So, when you come back to see us we want you to have every confidence and more that we will do everything possible to make your visit as safe and comfortable as possible. This leaflet is designed to explain what we do already and highlight some of the things that are new or different so when you arrive for you next appointment with us, you do so with confidence.
We look forward to seeing you,
Aneta and Her Dental Team
It feels good doing everything right. And you‘ll feel good too!
What we routinely do every day…
Morning - Before our first patient of the day, the treatment room is aired properly and all surfaces are disinfected. All waterlines are flushed to remove the water that has been left overnight.
Throughout The Day - Before and after each patient exam or procedure, we clean and disinfect all surfaces, buttons and handles using disinfecting sprays or wipes. Protective plastic barriers may be applied to selected equipment such as the headrest on the dental chair and to some of the instruments attached to the chair.
Suction hoses are cleaned and disinfected and all waterlines are flushed through after every patient, for a minimum of 20 seconds.
For every patient appointment completely clean, disinfected or, if neccessary sterilised instruments are used for the treatment. After the completion of the treatment, reusable instruments are removed to a dedicated reprocessing area to be cleaned, disinfected or sterilised.
Evening - All removable components of the dental chair are detached and disinfected or sterilised, while surfaces are disinfected using specifically approved disinfecting liquids.
When the last appointment of the day is completed, all waterlines are once more flushed through, ready for the start of another day!
... and some new things you might see and experience moving forward.
In line with Government and public health body guidance, dental practices across the country will implement a variety of new measures to protect staff and patients. Our aim is to continue effectively managing all stages of your treatment in a way that reduces the risk of primary transmission of virus or bacteria between people (via respiratory droplets or direct contact) or indirect contact with surfaces.
This may lead to an increase in single-visit dentistry, where multiple procedures are carried out in one appointment, to limit the number of visits you need to make to the dental practice. We may choose to adopt some or all of the initiatives below, depending on the latest medical and regulatory advice.
Before you arrive :
- Please ONLY visit if our team have contacted you and you have a confirmed appointment.
- We may ask you to complete a health questionnaire in advance to ensure you are not symptomatic and it is safe to attend.
- For some urgent treatments, we may refer you to a local Urgent Dental Care centre.
- Please be prepared to use over the telephone or contactless payment for your treatment to minimise surface contact and congestion in the reception area. Alternatively, please have a correct amount of cash prepared in a plastic bag.
- Where possible, please use the bathroom before attending the practice.
When you arrive:
- We may not be able to accommodate patients in our reception area or waiting room due to social distancing rules, and may ask you to wait in your car or in the car park.
- Under certain circumstances, we may perform a limited health examination / temperature check prior to entering.
- Waiting times may be a little longer than usual to allow for extra cleaning time prior to you starting your treatment. Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients, that means you may be offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
- We will provide hand sanitisers on entry and may ask you to wear a medical grade mask or other PPE during your time in practice.
During Treatment:
- Our team will adopt enhanced levels of PPE, including masks (Type II/IIR) or respirators (FFP2/3), which may include a visor or other eye protection.
- Please don‘t be offended if we ask that anyone accompanying you remains outside the room or even the building.
- We may place a rubber sheet in your mouth to reduce saliva and spray debris. Please advise us of any latex allergy.
When you leave:
Hand sanitiser will be available and to minimise unnecessary contact we may book your next appointment in the treatment room and e-mail you receipts and confirmation rather than hand over paper
Before you arrive for your visit, please familiarise yourself with the poster below.
… we hope we should be able to safely resume a wider range of face-to-face essential dental care shortly. Please check our website for further updates.
