Returning to work

This latest version for England - published 30 October - includes the latest on AGPs, fallow time, air changes and risk assessment for pregnant staff, as well as advice on job retention and the workers support schemes.

Scotland

Wales

We have adapted our toolkit for members in Wales. It is to be used alongside the Welsh Government’s guidance to help dental teams complete ACORN forms for patients, both routine and urgent. Updated 5 November.

Northern Ireland

Our NI team and committees have been heavily involved in the production of government guidance. Where comprehensive guidance already exists, we don’t want make the lives of members more complicated by asking them to read or comply with more than is necessary.

The following resources will also help you and your staff get to grips with dentistry’s temporary situation:

Patient communications and COVID-19

As we enter the second national lockdown, patients understandably have questions about dental practices being open.

We’ve updated our advice for patients page to help them understand the situation for our profession.

Members can download some communication assets to help your patients during this time:

• Copy for letters, websites etc: Use this copy as a basis for your patient communications
• Editable poster for practice windows: Add your practice details to this poster, print and display on the window for passing traffic
  
• Facebook images: you can add your practice logo to the top right and share on social
  We’re open and safe – blue
  
  We’re open and safe – green
  
  We’re open and safe – grey  
  
  We’re open and safe – pink  
  
  

Please feel free to direct your patients to: bda.org/patients

Practice management and COVID-19

• Notice for your practice: Print and display this notice in your window to help the local community understand the next stage in the re-opening of dental practices
• Letter to your patients : Adapt this letter to keep your patients informed of when and how your practice will reopen from 8 June in England
• Letter to furloughed staff : A model letter to help you notify staff that their furloughed leave is coming to an end
• Letter to staff returning part-time : A model letter to help you notify staff that they are returning part-time and remaining on furloughed leave for the remainder of the time
• Remote consultation guidance : Advice on how to triage and consult patients over the phone

Risk assessment and COVID-19

• Record keeping guidance : Suggested record-keeping template for face-to-face consultation
• Daily screening log : Use this template to update the health status of all patient and staff
• Risk assessment guidance : Use this document to consider your risks
• Risk assessment tool : Use our template to carry out your own risk assessments
• Risk assessment for vulnerable staff : Use this template to discuss risks with staff considered vulnerable
• Respiratory protective equipment - monthly maintenance checks
• Principles of risk assessment course : Members, earn one hour of CPD with our online course
• Getting to and from work safely poster: Help staff understand new infection control procedures via our new poster

PPE and COVID-19

• Using PPE safely - CPD (1 hour): Watch the video, answer the questions and receive a certificate on using personal protective equipment
• PPE and RPE: Watch the video on preparing for a practical and safe return to dental practice
• How to identify counterfeit PPE: These documents ensure your PPE supply is always accurate, including how to spot fake face masks
• Respirators in dentistry - CPD (1 hour): Watch the video which covers practical guidance and face fit-testing with the Institute of Occupational Medicine.

Further resources

• FAQs: answers to your most asked questions on returning to work
• Employing and managing staff advice: Find all of our advice on employing and managing staff including templates, videos and guidance
• Understanding your well-being in a COVID-19 world CPD: Watch our webinar held in June
• BDJ collection on coronavirus
• BDJ content on minimally invasive dentistry
• Health Assured 24/7 counselling service: This is a stressful time for many, that’s why we’re providing members with access to a 24/7 counselling service. You’re not alone, find out how Health Assured can help you today.