The good news: We have finally had notification that Urgent Dental care Centres have now been established for Lincolnshire. Five cold sites have been mobilised. A cold site is where patients not displaying Covid 19 symptoms can be treated, while hot sites are where patients with Coronavirus symptoms can be seen. There is also one hot site available in Lincolnshire.
And the bad: Unfortunately it's not as simple as all that to be seen. NHS England in the East Midlands have stressed they do not want the exact location of these sites to be known, as they do not want patients turning up at the sites expecting to be seen. I quote "A dentist/GP/A&E Clinician cannot give a letter to the patient to take to the UDC in the expectation the patient will be seen or similarly make a direct phone call". What has been made clear is that dentists should not see any patient in their own practice face to face.
Referral to these sites is by electronic referral only. "The process is...patient contacts own practice and has either direct contact with the dentist or voicemail directs to on call dentist or 111 if out of hours". The practitioner/111 will then make a decision to refer the patient to secondary triage. Secondary triage will contact the patient and decide if history and symptoms warrant referral to UDC. Please be aware that even though you may have been referred on, it will not necessarily follow that you will receive treatment.
As ever, PPE seems to still be a problem, and the cold sites are adopting a non-aerosol policy at present, which means the treatment you can receive may be limited. NHSE in the East Midlands have a dedicated team trying to access PPE.
If you are experiencing dental pain, please call the practice on 01775 723191 and listen carefully for the correct emergency contact number.
WE apologise that we are unable to see our patients at the practice at this time.
Keep well, and stay safe.
The Team at Ernevale House