COVID-19 UPDATES
1st August 2021:
QR code check-in
We are pleased to inform all our patients, that effective immediately, we have implemented the Tasmanian Contact Tracing Check-in protocols.
As an essential healthcare service we encourage anyone visiting our premises for any period of time to check-in by scanning the QR codes that are placed around the entry and waiting room. For those that are not comfortable with this process we will have a manual check-in available as well.
Patient screening protocols will continue as normal. Please remember to hand sanitise upon arrival as well as respecting the appropriate distancing where necessary.
We look forward to hearing from you!
More information regarding COVID-19, how to protect yourself and what you should do if you are feeling unwell can be found at coronavirus.tas.gov.au or by calling 1800 671 738.
13th May 2020:
Returning to a new normal
We are pleased to inform all our patients, that effective immediately, the Government imposed restrictions on Dental Practices have been further eased returning us to a new normal for the foreseeable future.
As an essential healthcare service we are once again able to provide you with our full range of services in a safe and protective manner adhering to all current social distancing protocols. We continue to operate adhering to strict infection control protocols and applying a range of additional measures, to ensure as safe & healthy an environment as possible for our patients, employees and community.
We look forward to welcoming you back for your regular check up, preventative and restorative treatments or anything that may be of concern to you.
So call us on 03 6243 8171, we look forward to hearing from you!
Warm regards,
Tassie Smiles Team
21st April 2020:
Dental restrictions update
This means we are able to offer a slightly wider range of urgent dental treatments. At Level 2 we still cannot offer routine check ups and cleans but the future is looking brighter so hopefully we can be at level 1 soon.
Please call our team on 6243 8171 to discuss any dental concerns as we are taking calls and happy to answer any questions you may have.
We look forward to caring for you soon.
Warm regards,
Tassie Smiles Team
3rd April 2020:
Changes to dental services
As a result of government limitations on treatment, we as a dental service provider have been impacted severely and this has a direct impact on how we can provide you with care for the moment.
Put simply, we are only allowed to treat patients that have a DENTAL EMERGENCY and/ or are in PAIN. We are still available on our usual telephone number (03 6243 8171) during business hours and will have to triage each patient that calls in. We ask that patients please bare with us during this time as the only constant at the moment is CHANGE!
Apart from the triage process, if we can justify your treatment under the above criteria, you will also be asked the usual COVID-19 screening questions and have your forehead temperature measured upon arrival for your appointment.
Please call us if you have any questions or require advise on a dental problem you may have. We look forward seeing you on the other side of this testing time.
Warm regards,
Tassie Smiles Team
30th March 2020:
Changes to dental services
As you are aware our greater community is currently experiencing a truly unprecedented situation, and unfortunately our Practice has also been affected. I am sure that you are acutely aware of the significant (and temporary) interruptions the COVID-19 pandemic has created in our normal day to day lives. Something we are all experiencing for the first time together.
Our Practice has two key objectives at this time. First, to ensure that we survive this experience and come through the other side ready to help all our patients with their dental needs. And second, to protect our staff and their job positions where possible.
The Australian Health Protection Principle Committee (AHPPC) have recently introduced Level 3 restrictions on all dental practices limiting the types of treatments we can provide, all with the intention of minimising any chance of COVID-19 transmission to both patients and staff.
These new restrictions will see us having to reduce our business hours at Tassie Smiles Dental, effective from the 1st April 2020. We will currently still be triaging and making bookings via the telephone. We are also working on being able to add an extra feature of Video Consultations to assist patients with queries and us with triaging prior to making appointments. The treatments which are curently permitted under the guidelines are the following;
- pain and emergency management,
- treatments that do not generate aerosols,
- some types of treatments where aerosols can be limited.
* Therefore, all routine dental treatments, fillings and examinations will need to be deferred at this time.
During this time our contact details will be unchanged. Details of the upcoming Video Consultation service will be sent out as soon as the service is operational.
Be Safe. We look forward to seeing you again once things return to normal.
19th March 2020:
Covid-19 precautionary screening
I’d like to open by stating that we are still OPEN for business. However, with a few small changes. Please read below some of the changes we are implementing for your safety and ours.
At Tassie Smiles Dental we take our patients, staff and community’s health and wellbeing very seriously. Already adhering to strict Infection Control Guidelines, Tassie Smiles Dental has stringent cleaning, disinfecting and sterilisation procedures in place. In light of the current environment we have added the following procedures to ensure added protection for our patients and staff.
All patients (and parents/carers) will be screened pre appointment (telephonically) and on arrival to the surgery. This includes answering the following questions and having your temperature taken by a touchless forehead thermometer.
The questions are:
- Have you had any recent symptoms of Gastro (e.g. diarrhoea)?
- Have you returned from travelling internationally in the last 14 days?
- Have you been in contact with anyone known to have COVID-19?
- Do you feel unwell, have a sore throat, cough, or headache?
(If yes to any of these questions, we will reschedule you to an appropriate time).
We have hand sanitiser at reception. We ask that you use it upon arrival at the practice. Our waiting room might look different as we have removed magazines and toys and should you require it, water will now come in a disposable cup.
Once in surgery we will ask you to rinse with an antibacterial antimicrobial mouth rinse before treatment. We already use barrier wrap in the surgeries, but you may notice additional use, for example on our Eftpos machines.
Our staff will be regularly decontaminating all surfaces in the Practice, including door handles, counter tops, pens at reception, chairs, floors etc.
We understand this is an uncertain time and that you may feel anxious. We want to reassure you that our staff are well trained in infection control procedures and your safety is our highest priority.
If you have any concerns, please call us on (03) 6243 8171. As this is a rapidly evolving situation, we will update you of any changes as advised by the Department of Health, Public Health or our governing body AHPRA.
More information regarding COVID-19, how to protect yourself and what you should do if you are feeling unwell can be found at www.health.gov.au or by calling 1800 020 080
