~ COVID19

In light of the current Covid-19 virus pandemic that is circulating our population and has been dominating our attention for the last few months, I feel it necessary to address the situation.
This is not the first contagious illness that has circulated our country nor will it be the last.
In my practice lifetime of over 30 years, I have dealt first hand with many contagious illnesses from the simple flu, HPV, etc.
Every year in “flu season” we see patients who have had the flu or who have recently recovered. Furthermore, hepatitis, herpes, HPV etc are all part of our everyday existence be it in your dental office or local supermarket.

I have always followed every South African Dental Association (SADA) guideline with regards to sterilization and continue those practices each and every day. To the best of my knowledge I have never had one incident of a team member to patient transmission or a patient to team member transmission of any illness or condition in my practice. My team and I remain dedicated to ensure that we will do everything in our power to provide you with a safe environment in which you receive your dental care.
In saying that, we have not changed anything in regard to our sterilization practices or cleaning and disinfecting to our treatment rooms between patients due to the high level of diligence with which we already operate.
Being a specialist practice, we do not overbook our schedule hence we do not have a cramped reception area overflowing with people.
Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and our valued patients experience this first hand during visits to our practice. Our infection control processes have always ensured that when you receive care, it is both safe and comfortable.
You will, however, see some changes when you visit us for the next appointment. These changes are necessary to help best protect our patients and staff.

These are:
• Our receptionists (Reena and Ann) will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. Those same questions will be reinforced when you come in for your appointment.
• We have hand sanitizer at the door that you will be asked to use when you enter the practice.
• You will be presented with a disposable bag in which to place your valuables such as phone, wallet etc. Please take heed that this is a compulsory precaution for the safety of all.
• Our reception area will no longer have magazines as they are difficult to clean and disinfect.
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment. Anyone accompanying you will be requested to wait in the car.
• We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time. We will ask patients to wait in the car should we have an emergency delay.
• All patients will have a rubber dam used during treatment to prevent aerosol spread from saliva.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we have taken to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice.
To make an appointment please WhatsApp Reena on 0628303240 or myself on 0824434708 and we will get back to you.

Presently we are only treating emergencies and will adjust according as per the South African Dental Association (SADA) regulations on the different procedures that can be done during the different levels of the lockdown.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to Welcoming you back.
Yours sincerely,
Dr M Ismail