Maida Smiles is supporting the UK Government’s new ‘Hands. Face. Space’ campaign urging the public to continue to wash hands, cover faces and make space to control infection rates and slow the recent Covid 19 surge.
A key element of the public information campaign includes a new film highlighting the risk of coronavirus spread in enclosed spaces through a series of simple, everyday interactions.
The campaign will be broadcast across all media and supported by a variety of public and private sector partners throughout the coming weeks.
With people expected to spend more time inside during the winter, the film, produced with the help of scientific experts, encourages the public to follow simple steps to reduce the risk of infection.
It shows how interactions between people, surfaces and the air spread the virus. It also demonstrates how coronavirus spreads through droplets from our nose and mouth. This is a powerful reminder to the public of the importance of remaining aware of their surroundings and following guidance.
While coronavirus deaths have significantly reduced, the virus still circulates in communities and impacts people of all ages across the UK. ‘Hands. Face. Space’ are simple but vital behaviours that have the power to protect the public from both the short and potential long-term impact of coronavirus.
The public are encouraged to continue to be vigilant of coronavirus symptoms which include a new continuous cough, high temperature, or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell. If you or someone you know, displays any symptoms, no matter how mild, please get a free test by calling 119 or visiting NHS.uk
The campaign is particularly keen to drive greater awareness in the following areas:
Washing your hands
While coronavirus is unlikely to survive for long periods of time on outdoor surfaces in sunlight, it can live for more than 24 hours in indoor environments. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer regularly throughout the day will reduce the risk of catching or passing on the virus.
Covering your face
Coronavirus is carried in the air by tiny respiratory droplets that carry the virus. Larger droplets can land on other people or on surfaces they touch while smaller droplets, called aerosols, can stay in the air indoors for at least 5 minutes, and often much longer if there is no ventilation. Face coverings reduce the dispersion of these droplets, meaning if you’re carrying the virus you’re less likely to spread it when you exhale.
Making space
Transmission of the virus is most likely to happen within 2 metres, with risk increasing exponentially at shorter distances. While keeping this exact distance isn’t always possible, remaining mindful of surroundings and continuing to make space has a powerful impact on containing the spread.
What is Maida Smiles doing to protect patients from the virus?
After reopening the clinic post-lockdown, we undertook a rigorous overhaul to working practices to prioritise safety. Key interventions include:
- Custom-made air ventilation system – We have a custom-made air ventilation system thought to be unique in the UK which is helping us combat Covid-19. The system is designed to remove potentially harmful contaminants and ensure a constant circulation of fresh air. It contains air purifiers which significantly reduce transmittable bioaerosols. It cleans by constantly drawing out polluted indoor air and exhausting clean filtered air into the clinic. Crucially, it has the ability to effectively and efficiently remove air pollutants, including dust, VOCs, mold, bacteria, odours, as well as airborne germs and viruses. Since reopening in June following lockdown, the system has become a key intervention helping guard against the Covid-19 pandemic. We can confidently say we offer one of the safest dental environments for our clients, greatly reducing risk of infection.
- Online ‘Patient Portal’ – Reducing hand-to-hand contact and enable many booking and organisational functions to be carried out online.
- ‘Slow Dentistry’ – We subscribe to Slow Dentistry which ensures small volumes of patients at any one time. This ensures we maintain an optimal working environment greatly reducing the threat of infection.
- Special time slots for Vulnerable Patients – In order to prioritise the safety of particularly vulnerable patients, including elderly, infirm and those with underlying health conditions, we allocate special time slots at certain stages of the week. This enables us to provide an extra level of care and specific conditions tailored to their individual needs.
- Digital X-Ray machines and Developing Systems – The incorporation of new machinery not only helps reduce radiation exposure it also lowers the risk of contamination with fewer buttons.
- Rubber dam – The use of rubber dam for all dental treatments and electric dental chairs and equipment reduces the spread of aerosols and contaminants during treatment time.
