News
COVID-19: Temporary Practice closure with emergency treatment provision
(published 30 March 2020)
The health, safety and wellbeing of our patients and employees is our absolute priority.
In line with the latest clinical and regulatory advice to the dental profession, and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, we are postponing all non-urgent routine dental treatment until after the pandemic has been controlled.
We will continue to play a vital role in safely treating and caring for patients who have urgent and essential dental needs, as well as managing those in pain and dental emergencies.
If you have an enquiry, or need urgent and essential dental care, please contact us on (03) 9822 2691.
We hope you and your loved ones stay well.
Very best wishes,
Dr Eden Winter and the team at Bliss Dentistry
In line with the latest clinical and regulatory advice to the dental profession, and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, we are postponing all non-urgent routine dental treatment until after the pandemic has been controlled.
We will continue to play a vital role in safely treating and caring for patients who have urgent and essential dental needs, as well as managing those in pain and dental emergencies.
If you have an enquiry, or need urgent and essential dental care, please contact us on (03) 9822 2691.
We hope you and your loved ones stay well.
Very best wishes,
Dr Eden Winter and the team at Bliss Dentistry
COVID-19: Restrictions on the dental treatment services provided at Bliss Dentistry
(published 26 March 2020)
As you are aware, the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a rapidly changing situation.
On 23 March 2020 the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee placed limits on organised gatherings and visits to vulnerable groups. The Prime Minister Scott Morrison subsequently announced that non-essential gatherings are suspended for an initial four weeks to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. The Australian Government has described a healthcare setting as an essential indoor gathering. Services provided by dental practitioners currently fall within this category.
Following this announcement, the Australian Dental Association (the ADA) released guidelines related to the treatment of patients during the current COVID-19 epidemic. Specifically, the ADA published a framework outlining their recommendations in relation to the continuation of dental services.
While the guidelines and framework are not mandatory for dental practitioners, the Dental Board of Australia requires each dental practitioner to ensure that they are treating the public safely. On this basis, we have decided to restrict our treatment services in line with the ADA’s framework to ensure that we continue to limit the spread of COVID-19 and act in accordance with our patients’ best interests.
The key focus of the restrictions on dental treatments services is to reduce aerosol-generated procedures, which may play a role in the spread of the virus.
Accordingly, until further advised, we will not be performing any teeth cleaning procedures because they generate aerosols. However, we will continue to provide other treatment services that are unlikely to generate aerosols or, where aerosols are generated, we will minimise their presence with the use of a rubber dam*.
These treatment services include:
We are also continuing with our usual high standard of infection control with the addition of reducing the number of patients in our waiting room and allowing time between patients for thorough disinfection of our dental procedure rooms.
During these uncertain times we will also be available to triage our patients over the phone and provide advice and assistance with dental issues.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and amend our processes accordingly. If you have concerns or questions, please call the Practice on (03) 9822 2691 ahead of your visit.
We hope this information provides you with some reassurance, as we are open and ready to support you with your ongoing dental needs – whether it be for your preventive dental check-up, or for treatment that you are mid-way through or would like to commence.
Very best wishes,
Dr Eden Winter and the team at Bliss Dentistry
*(A rubber dam is a protective sheet that isolates the operative site (one or more teeth) from the rest of the mouth)
On 23 March 2020 the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee placed limits on organised gatherings and visits to vulnerable groups. The Prime Minister Scott Morrison subsequently announced that non-essential gatherings are suspended for an initial four weeks to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. The Australian Government has described a healthcare setting as an essential indoor gathering. Services provided by dental practitioners currently fall within this category.
Following this announcement, the Australian Dental Association (the ADA) released guidelines related to the treatment of patients during the current COVID-19 epidemic. Specifically, the ADA published a framework outlining their recommendations in relation to the continuation of dental services.
While the guidelines and framework are not mandatory for dental practitioners, the Dental Board of Australia requires each dental practitioner to ensure that they are treating the public safely. On this basis, we have decided to restrict our treatment services in line with the ADA’s framework to ensure that we continue to limit the spread of COVID-19 and act in accordance with our patients’ best interests.
The key focus of the restrictions on dental treatments services is to reduce aerosol-generated procedures, which may play a role in the spread of the virus.
Accordingly, until further advised, we will not be performing any teeth cleaning procedures because they generate aerosols. However, we will continue to provide other treatment services that are unlikely to generate aerosols or, where aerosols are generated, we will minimise their presence with the use of a rubber dam*.
These treatment services include:
- Regular dental check-ups (to check for cavities and to see if there is any plaque on your teeth; to check the gums for signs of gum disease; and to check the tongue, throat, face and neck, looking for any signs of trouble or swelling);
- Dental fillings and fissure seals;
- Non-surgical extractions;
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) management;
- Denture procedures;
- Radiographs (x-rays); and
- Orthodontic treatment.
We are also continuing with our usual high standard of infection control with the addition of reducing the number of patients in our waiting room and allowing time between patients for thorough disinfection of our dental procedure rooms.
During these uncertain times we will also be available to triage our patients over the phone and provide advice and assistance with dental issues.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and amend our processes accordingly. If you have concerns or questions, please call the Practice on (03) 9822 2691 ahead of your visit.
We hope this information provides you with some reassurance, as we are open and ready to support you with your ongoing dental needs – whether it be for your preventive dental check-up, or for treatment that you are mid-way through or would like to commence.
Very best wishes,
Dr Eden Winter and the team at Bliss Dentistry
*(A rubber dam is a protective sheet that isolates the operative site (one or more teeth) from the rest of the mouth)
Notice to Patients about Coronovirus
(published 22 March 2020)
At Bliss Dentistry we take the health and safety of our patients and team members very seriously. As the situation with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved, we have introduced precautionary measures in our practice, to minimise the risk of exposure.
Some of the measures we regularly adhere to, or have implemented specifically for COVID-19 include:
We are also currently looking to implement touch-free temperature checks for our staff and patients.
In addition, we are ensuring that patients and workers who are deemed high risk, according to the Government’s advice, do not come into the practice.
In line with this we ask that you please ring us today to reschedule your appointment if you:
Please note that this list of high-risk places may change as the global situation develops. We continue to closely monitor the situation and amend our processes accordingly. If you have concerns or questions, please call the practice on (03) 9822 2691 ahead of your visit.
We hope this information provides you with some reassurance, as we are open and ready to support you with your ongoing dental needs – whether it be for your preventive dental check-up, or for treatment that you’re mid-way through or would like to commence.
We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Some of the measures we regularly adhere to, or have implemented specifically for COVID-19 include:
- Standard infection control procedures to reduce the spread of any infection;
- The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for all treatments such as standard level 2 surgical masks, protective eyewear and gloves;
- Strengthening our cleaning procedures, including actively promoting the regular use of antibacterial hand sanitiser and surface wipes; and
- Reminding our staff of personal hygiene measures and our Infectious Diseases Policy.
We are also currently looking to implement touch-free temperature checks for our staff and patients.
In addition, we are ensuring that patients and workers who are deemed high risk, according to the Government’s advice, do not come into the practice.
In line with this we ask that you please ring us today to reschedule your appointment if you:
- Have had contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19;
- Have returned from mainland China, Iran, Italy or Republic of Korea in the last 14 days;
- Have arrived in Australia from overseas as of 16 March 2020; or
- Are feeling unwell with flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat.
Please note that this list of high-risk places may change as the global situation develops. We continue to closely monitor the situation and amend our processes accordingly. If you have concerns or questions, please call the practice on (03) 9822 2691 ahead of your visit.
We hope this information provides you with some reassurance, as we are open and ready to support you with your ongoing dental needs – whether it be for your preventive dental check-up, or for treatment that you’re mid-way through or would like to commence.
We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Notice to Patients about Coronovirus
(published 15 March 2020)
At Bliss Dentistry we take the health and safety of our patients and team members very seriously. As the situation with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved, we have introduced precautionary measures in our practice, to minimise the risk of exposure.
If you have an upcoming appointment within the next 14 days, please ring us today to reschedule if you:
Please note that this list of high-risk places may change as the global situation develops. If you have concerns or questions, please call the practice on 03 9822 2691 ahead of your visit.
If you have an upcoming appointment within the next 14 days, please ring us today to reschedule if you:
- Have had contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19
- Have returned from mainland China, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea in the last 14 days
- Are feeling unwell with flu like symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat
Please note that this list of high-risk places may change as the global situation develops. If you have concerns or questions, please call the practice on 03 9822 2691 ahead of your visit.
Continuing Professional Development Update
(published 1 March 2020)
Dr Eden Winter is currently undertaking a 2 year orthodontic training series, provided by Progressive Orthodontics Seminars, which is the most comprehensive and best networked orthodontic continuing education program in the industry. Dr Winter is learning to use computerised orthodontics to provide patients with the most effective and detailed diagnosis and treatment. By using the most advanced computerised orthodontics for treatment, Dr Winter can make sure that every detail of a patient’s case is analysed before starting, to give them the best smile and care.
