Returning to work

An updated edition of our toolkit for returning to face-to-face care is now available. It will support you and your team to resume practising as safely and efficiently as possible.

This latest version for England - updated on 1 July 2020 - now includes essential updates on ventilation/air con, antibody testing, letter template to staff whose time is split between part-time work and furlough, plus information on NHS sick pay where associates are considered ‘extremely vulnerable’.

Download the toolkit for England

Scotland

We have adapted our toolkit for members in Scotland. It is designed to complement the SDCEP guidance, and contains additional practical advice on various issues, including indemnity, employment relations, and staff terms and conditions.

Download the toolkit for 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.

Download the toolkit for Wales

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.

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
NEW! 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
Returning to face-to-face care assessment : Receive a certificate to indicate Good Practice compliance after uploading your answers (for Good Practice members).

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: Join our webinar on Thursday 25 June 16:00-17:00 (online booking coming soon)
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 You’re not alone, find out how Health Assured can help you today.