NHS dentists were told to continue treating patients with cold and flu symptoms, as long as they hadn't travelled to or been in contact with travellers to at risk countries.
I had a guy today with toothache.
I could see he had cold and flu symptoms so after treatment asked if he was still going back to work reminding him of the guidelines to self isolate JUST IN CASE.
His reply was "I should be ok don't worry, it's just a NORMAL COLD not Corona virus"
I was shocked by his blasé attitude and said
"How do you know you haven't got Corona virus?......how do you know that I don't have Corona virus?......you don't!
You don't want the hassle of self isolating.
I don't want to be working in people's gobs when they're full of a cold during these times
But we've all got to do what we can to look after one another.
NOW GO HOME AND SELF ISOLATE!"
Got home today and got a new guidelines email from the NHS.
Now they are telling us NOT to see people with symptoms of Coronavirus and that they MAKING PLANS on where these people should go with toothache.
Not mandatory.... just a guideline.
So are we meant to turn poor people away at the door suffering with toothache and say we'll ring you when the NHS have decided where to send you?
Most will probably just have the common cold but it's still stressful treating them especially as I'm just inches from their mouths at time.
Totally understand coming to the practice with toothache with cold symptoms.
Just wait in the car in the car park as recommended.
I'll call you in when it's your turn.
But don't go back to work FFS!
Rant over.