Dental Care in Greater Manchester: NHS October Update

What to do if you have a dental problem during COVID-19 pandemic

If you have a dental issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that you know how to access help when you need it. Here is the latest (October 2020) from the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership.

All dental practices in the Greater Manchester are now open and have resumed face-to-face care, although many are working at reduced capacity and may not yet be able to offer the full range of services due to increased infection, prevention and control guidelines.

If you need dental help or advice, please contact your dental practice over the phone first, rather than in person.  You will be assessed over the phone and may be given advice, medication or a face to face appointment if needed.

Your practice will look different than normal, as it will be operating in a way that observes COVID-19 social distancing and hygiene rules as part of measures taken to ensure your safety and that of the dental team. For all face to face care, infection prevention and control measures and personal protective equipment requirements are in place to ensure patient and colleague safety.

While dental practices work to ensure that those who need dental care most can receive it, they may be unable to offer routine examinations and other non-urgent care for some time.

Patients who require completion of pre-COVID treatment plans will be prioritised alongside high risk patients and children.

Urgent dental services have been established across Greater Manchester for patients and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and they are continuing to see and treat patients who have been referred from their regular Dentist who may not be able to offer specific treatments.

If you are in pain or in need of support, help or advice, please telephone your dental practice in the usual way.

If you don’t have a usual dentist and have an urgent need you can  call your local  dental helpline:

• Greater Manchester: 0333 332 3800 (freephone)

You will be assessed and given advice over the phone, which may result in a remote consultation with a dentist or a face to face appointment.

To support NHS services, it is important that you do not visit hospitals or doctors’ surgeries with dental problems unless you are advised to do so.

What to expect at appointments

Here’s a good outline of what to expect when you go to the dentists and what they are doing to keep you covid safe – https://www.livingwellrochdale.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Advice-for-patients-Dentist-Appointments.pdf

To find dental practices in your area, go to www.gmhsc.org.uk/gm-service-finder.