Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Arrangements have been put in place to ensure people across Forth Valley have access to urgent dental advice and treatment. Routine dental services across Scotland are postponed as part of a national drive to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, protect patients and ensure the safety of dental staff.

If you are registered with a dental practice and feel you have an urgent dental need, in normal working hours, you should phone your practice for advice. Staff will be able to provide advice, reassurance or carry out a telephone assessment. Following assessment by the dental practice, anyone who requires urgent dental treatment will be contacted and, if necessary, given an appointment to be seen at one of a number of urgent dental care centres in Forth Valley. People with symptoms of COVID-19 will be seen at a designated COVID-19 urgent dental care centre.

If you are not registered with a dentist you should phone 01324 614 670 for dental advice during normal working hours. Out-with normal working hours, if you require advice for an URGENT dental issue you should contact NHS24 on 111 whether you are registered with a dentist or not.

Advice for People with Braces

Routine and non-essential orthodontic appointments have been suspended at Forth Valley Royal Hospital however braces being in place for longer than planned should have no negative effect on your teeth, as long as you maintain good oral hygiene and avoid food and drink that can damage your teeth and brace. Advice and video refreshers are available on COVID-19 advice section for patients on the British Orthodontic Society. The FAQ section also provides advice on looking after your brace.

If you have a problem with your brace, please try to manage this at home to avoid the need to attend a healthcare facility. Advice on how to deal with common emergency situations is available in the Orthodontic Emergencies Protocol Fact Sheet, also available on the British Orthodontic Society website.

If there is an exceptional emergency e.g. pain that cannot be managed at home with the advice above, is not relieved with wax and pain killers, and repeatedly affects sleeping and eating you may require further advice and treatment. Work is underway to set up remote video consultations however in the meantime photographs of the brace can be emailed to the departmental at FV-UHB.Orthodontic@nhs.net. Please include the person’s name, day time contact telephone number, date of birth, description of the issues and confirm if the individual has any symptoms of COVID-19. An example of the type of photographs to be taken can be seen in the video on the British Orthodontic Society website.

If it appropriate, arrangements can be made for you be seen at an urgent care dental centre.