Leeds dental surgery treats over 100 emergency patients during lockdown

A dental surgery in west Leeds which volunteered to act as an emergency care centre while other practices remained closed has treated over 100 people during the coronavirus lockdown.
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With dental practices across the city now starting to re-open as restrictions ease, staff at Farsley Dental Practice have reflected on their time as one of the city's Urgent Dental Care (UDC) centres.

In March - when all practices were forced to shut to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 - Farsley Dental Practice decided to "stick its head above the parapet" and answer a nationwide plea for sites to act as UDCs and treat emergency cases in their area.

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The move meant the practice quickly had to meet strict guidelines and saw its owner Dr Jon Swarbrigg complete a day-long course to train how to fit FFP3 masks which made sure the team and patients were safe while carrying out the risky aerosol-generated procedures for emergencies.

Farsley Dental Practice's Dr Jon Swarbrigg and dental nurses Motoko Gumbs in full PPE kit.Farsley Dental Practice's Dr Jon Swarbrigg and dental nurses Motoko Gumbs in full PPE kit.
Farsley Dental Practice's Dr Jon Swarbrigg and dental nurses Motoko Gumbs in full PPE kit.

Vicki Crowley, business manager at the practice, said: "Despite some apprehension about working during the lock down period the team at Farsley all stepped up and got stuck in. I was asking the staff to come back and look in people's mouths at such a time of uncertainty. And they did. We have a great team here."

She added: "We viewed it as our moment to stand up and be counted when people in pain needed us most."

The practice ended up treating 103 emergency cases, referred from 12 practices in the local area, who Vicki said would otherwise have had to live with extreme tooth pain during lockdown.

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She said: "It's horrific really. If practices like ours hadn't stuck our heads above the parapet there would be a lot of people in dental pain."

Farsley Dental Practice's Dr Jon Swarbrigg carrying out a mask fitting on dental nurse Motoko Gumbs.Farsley Dental Practice's Dr Jon Swarbrigg carrying out a mask fitting on dental nurse Motoko Gumbs.
Farsley Dental Practice's Dr Jon Swarbrigg carrying out a mask fitting on dental nurse Motoko Gumbs.

Vicki said they have had amazing feedback from patients and fellow dental practices in their cluster who were grateful for the work they carried out in lockdown.

She said: "During uncertain times we were fortunate enough to make a contribution to the wider NHS effort and in years to come I am sure the whole team will look back with a sense of pride as to what we achieved during this time.

"We don’t view ourselves as special in any way, in fact, I know any one in the dental profession would have done the same and indeed across the country at various UCCs many have.

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"The profession faces an uncertain future as we now start to try and provide a new type of service as we emerge from lockdown.

Staff at the Farsley Dental Practice which has been treating emergency patients during lockdown. Picture: Gary LongbottomStaff at the Farsley Dental Practice which has been treating emergency patients during lockdown. Picture: Gary Longbottom
Staff at the Farsley Dental Practice which has been treating emergency patients during lockdown. Picture: Gary Longbottom

"We still have new daily challenges to find solutions to and we are only able to run at 50 per cent capacity until restrictions are lifted further."

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