Orthodontic Appointments during stage 4 lockdown
To all our patients and families,
We hope that you are all safe and well. During this 6-week Victorian lock-down, we will be following the recommended Australian Dental Association Level 3 guidelines. This is very much as we were practising during the first lock-down in April/May. Throughout the Pandemic, we have made many changes in our practice – waiting room furniture is sparse, hand-sanitizer is available to all, temperatures will be checked on arrival, we will try to only have one patient in the clinic at any time. All staff will continue to wear appropriate PPE, hands will be washed after every patient and hand-sanitizer will be used before placing new gloves for every patient.
- We will not be seeing older patients at all.
- We will not be putting on new braces, constructing new devices or removing any braces.
- No diagnostic records will be taken.
- No retainer check appointments will be made.
- Most discussions and new patient consultations will be undertaken by Zoom.
- If possible, no orthodontic arch-wires, elastics or springs will be changed.
According to the recommended guidelines, we will be triaging every patient in full braces at least once during the lock-down - not necessarily changing anything – but making sure that no damage is being done.
While my Royal Melbourne Hospital clinics are on hold for now – I will still be doing approximately 12 hours of online teaching each week for the Latrobe University dental school. I have taken the liberty of posting the most recent ADA level 3/ASO/Dental Board of Australia recommendations below. We have discussed all these things in great detail in our office over the past week or so - as things have rapidly changed.
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