LATEST UPDATE: FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2020
Current Status: Booragoon and Subiaco Clinic Open
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) issued advice regarding dental services and recommended that all restrictions placed on dental practices be reviewed to implement level 2 restrictions. This essentially means that we can deliver ongoing orthodontic services to our patients. We are unsure how long these restrictions will apply for; and we will keep you informed through our routine methods of communication (SMS, email, Facebook and The Orthodontists Blog).
While there are still some restrictions regarding the types of procedures we can perform, we can begin seeing patients again. We will be in touch with you as soon as possible to schedule your appointment. We ask that you please bear with us at this time as we do our best to contact patients as quickly as we can.
The changes in restrictions still limit the use of aerosol producing procedures like high-speed drilling and ultrasonic scalers that are not used in routine orthodontic treatment.
We will be reopening our offices for routine office hours, but have made some changes in the way that we will deliver our care.
Your health and safety are of the utmost importance to us and we will continue to operate with additional precautions in place to best protect you and our staff. We ask that when visiting our practice, please observe the health and safety information displayed and follow the directions of practice staff.
We have taken a number of processes in place to minimize any chance of community transmission and wish to advise you of these procedures to assist us in the interest of patients, parents and staff at The Orthodontists.
Who We Can and Can’t Treat
To ensure the safety of everyone attending the clinic, there will be some patients we can’t treat.
It’s important that patients and visitors DO NOT ATTEND the clinic if:
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You have tested positive for COVID-19
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You haven’t been tested but have symptoms of COVID-19, a cold or flu-like symptoms or a fever.
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You have returned from overseas travel in the last 14 days and are in self-isolation
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You have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.
We will be contacting patients and parents the day before their scheduled appointments, to pre-screen for symptoms and exposure. The following questions will be asked in order to secure the appointment:
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Have you recently participated in any large gatherings (more than 50 attendees), or attended gatherings of people you didn’t know?
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Have your or a member of your household traveled overseas in the last 14 days?
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Have you or an immediate family member been sick with a cold or flu-like symptoms or fever within the last 14 days?
Please note all patients answering “yes” to any of these questions will be rescheduled.
You can attend your appointment if:
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You are well and have no symptoms of COVID-19, a cold or the flu
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And you have been pre-screened for symptoms and exposure by a staff member from the Orthodontists
All of our staff are being diligent about checking patients are healthy so we may ask you more than once if you have any symptoms.
On arrival, please be advised that we wish you to come as close to your appointment time as possible and abide by the social distancing policies or remaining 2 metres apart. For parents of patients, you may choose to sit on the chairs provided outside the clinic or remain in the car or outside the clinic. Please leave the clinic as soon as you or your child's appointment is over and we can call to schedule the next appointment.
To keep traffic through the clinic to a minimum, please do not bring any additional family members (siblings) to the appointments (only 1 parent or adult).
If a patient or visitor arrives at this clinic displaying any symptoms, we will ask them to put on a face mask immediately and a course of action to reschedule/defer the appointment. We will also be taking all patient's temperatures prior to entering the clinic to exclude the likelihood of patients presenting with a fever. If a patient presents with a fever, we will kindly ask you to return home and consult your medical practitioner as we will not be able to provide treatment at that time and defer the appointment appropriately.
We would ask all patients to consider brushing their teeth at home before attending to minimize use of the tooth brush areas for patients who need to clean their teeth after a procedure.
We also ask patients to bring along their own eyewear (glasses or sunglasses) that they will be more comfortable with during their scheduled appointment
We have enhanced our regular sterilization protocols with special gowns over our scrubs and routine protective equipment that most dentists do a great job with. Our staff will be temperature tested before they start work and you will notice that the contact surfaces in and around the clinic will be regularly cleaned. Moreover there will be hand sanitizer readily available for patients in the clinic.
If you have any questions or concerns or an urgent need, prior to your appointment, please contact us via phone or email.
Current Status: Broome Clinic Closed
Dear valued patient of The Orthodontists Broome,
We hope you are safe and well during this extraordinary course of events.
Due to the Australian Federal Government Level 3 restrictions on Dental Practice (including orthodontics), only emergency dental patients can be seen until the 25th of April 2020. As you are probably aware, the Broome Regional Hospital Specialists Clinic including the Broome Government Dental Clinic are closed to all patients.
We are negotiating with Western Australia Dental Health Services and the Broome North Primary School to gain access to utilise the Broome North Primary School Dental Therapy Centre for our future services in Broome. However, the Western Australian Government regional travel restrictions also prevent The Orthodontists and support staff from travelling to Broome at this current time, though rest assured we are trying to facilitate resuming our clinic in Broome as soon physically possible.
The Orthodontists are looking ahead to June, July, August and possibly September to increase the dates we travel to Broome to allow for extra clinical sessions. As soon as the situation allows The Orthodontists will make arrangements to see all orthodontic patients at the earliest possible date(s).
We welcome any of our patients to be seen at either one of our Perth based clinics (Booragoon Clinic or Subiaco Clinic) after the 25th of April 2020 should they wish to travel to Perth for an appointment.
Dr Stephanie Mulachy and Dr Peter Ellies of the Broome Dental Clinic are able to see patients that are in pain or significant discomfort to remove a broken or damaged appliance(s).
Though we are physically not travelling to Broome, our team is available to answer any queries you may have, please do not hesitate to contact our office (phone: 9364 5100) or send an email and we can discuss these matters with you further.
Please refer to our website or facebook pages including our blog regarding COVID 19, which are regularly updated.
Keep safe and thank you for your patience during these unprecedented times.
Our Doctors and Therapists
All of our staff are trained in hygiene and infection control and regularly updated with Department of Health guidelines.
If your doctor or therapist develops any symptoms of a cold, flu or COVID-19, they will not attend the clinic and precautionary procedures put in place as advised by the Department of Health including testing if appropriate, and self isolation of staff in that doctor's team. Another doctor or therapist will see you or we’ll reschedule your appointment.
Your FAQs Answered
It’s understandable that our patients and their parents have queries about COVID-19 and their treatment.
What are the COVID-19 Symptoms to Look Out For?
The flu-like symptoms of COVID-19 include:
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Fever
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Cough
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Sore throat
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Shortness of breath
Is the Clinic Thoroughly Cleaned?
Dental and orthodontic clinics have always had very stringent cleaning schedules, but we’ve introduced even tighter measures. For example, throughout the day ‘often touched’ surfaces are disinfected. We have also removed items from the clinic waiting rooms e.g. magazines, pens, coffee/tea stations and toys.
After hours the clinic is thoroughly cleaned. Hand sanitiser is available for disinfecting your hands when you arrive.
Patients are requested to brush their teeth at home before attending their appointments. This will minimise the risk of contamination via the toothbrushing station.
We have temporarily limited the procedures done in the clinic. This involves avoiding the production of Aerosols, given the potential that asymptomatic patients may have unknowingly been exposed to Coronavirus. Your doctor or therapist may postone debonding procedures and will minimise the use of handpieces.
What Happens If I Have A Broken Appliance?
Patients with broken or damaged braces, broken or lost plates and patients experiencing significant pain or trauma may call the Subiaco or Booragoon office during office hours or our after hours service for advice. (After hours 0438 648 020)
Dr Stephanie Mulachy and Dr Peter Ellies of the Broome Dental Clinic are able to see patients that are in pain or significant discomfort to remove a broken or damaged appliance(s).
Do You Have Enough Personal Protection Equipment?
You may have read reports that there are worldwide shortages of personal protection equipment (PPE), particularly surgical masks. We currently have enough stock, but rest assured The Orthodontists will never compromise on patient or staff safety.
What about Close Contact in the Clinic?
Patients and parents/guardians should try to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other visitors while waiting. If you would prefer to wait outside or in the car, please let reception know you’ve arrived by telephone and we can call you in.
All appointments will be staggered to minimise close contact.
We will be attempting to minimise the number of parents/guardians in the clinical environment but naturally will involve the parents/guardians with instructions with any new course of treatment. When your child leaves the clinic after regular maintenance/adjustments, we are happy to call the parent/guardian to discuss the details of the appointment and to schedule the next appointment rather than presenting to the clinic or front desk.
Adult patients and teenagers are to attend their scheduled appointments alone; only children are to be accompanied by an adult.
Our doctors and therapists wear PPE while treating that protects both patients and themselves.
Should I Wait Until the Risk of COVID-19 Disappears Before Visiting the Clinic?
The Orthodontists have put in place all possible measures to reduce the risk of infection. Because of our PPE and stringent cleaning, the clinic is as safe as possible.
Will my Treatment Time Extend?
At this stage it’s difficult to know if any patients may need to wear their braces or Invisalign longer than their initial estimate. It would only occur if you have lengthy periods of illness or quarantine that treatment times need to extend.
Up to Date Information
The COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly. We’ll keep this notice updated with any additional information. Please continue to check for the latest edition.
Credible Resources
It’s important that everyone in the community has access to factual and up to date information about COVID-19. You can find information at the following links:
Department of Health
World Health Organisation
Government of WA Health Department
If you are uncertain about coming to your appointment, don’t hesitate to contact the clinic. Please stay home if you are sick or have any cold and flu-like symptoms. We ask that patients/parents/guardians who have been overseas in the last 14 days, or who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days, do not attend The Orthodontists. Please contact our reception team on 9364-8020 (Booragoon) 9381 2788 (Subiaco) to reschedule your appointments.
LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2020