Newsletter – October 2020

Newsletter – October 2020

Download the Bamford Newsletter – October 2020

It’s fair to say this has been the most challenging of times for everyone. In March we were advised to have no face to face contact with our patients. Our practice had to close its doors. We were still here for remote emergency consultations and advice but we hated not being able to serve and meet our patients’ full-needs. The fear of course and the reason for the closure was to prevent the spread of the virus. We entered a period of endless guidelines… from NHS England and the Chief Dental Officer and the Care Quality Commission and the General Dental Council and local dental authorities. We had to navigate all the documents and work out how to deliver care to our patients. We were asked by NHS England to become an urgent dental centre under NHS guidelines and were able to offer a skeleton emergency service.


Our team worked round the clock seeing patients with dental emergencies from across the region and offering remote advice where possible. We also had to cancel thousands of appointments for patients who were booked in for routine treatment. The telephone lines were in meltdown! In early June it was announced that dental practices could re-open but under strict new guidelines. We were advised to see emergencies first. All attending patients need a risk assessment to check it is safe for them to attend the practice. With regard to social distancing, we have had to significantly reduce the number of people in the building at any one time. We have completely altered our shift patterns and have opened the surgery from 8 am to 8 pm Monday Friday and 8 am to 2 pm on Saturday in attempt to generate the number of appointments we need and get through the backlog. During this time, we have been overwhelmed with kindness and patience from our patients. Please also rest assured we are doing everything possible to keep you safe! If you need any help or advice please contact us.

We look forward to caring for you soon!


We Now Offer Video Consultations

In orthodontics, we are now doing free remote consultations which can be done from the comfort of the patient’s own home and we are looking into online booking. Many of our Invisalign patients are dentally monitored which means they scan their teeth at home each week on their phone and we can monitor their treatment progress remotely. This meant we could continue with their treatment during lockdown. We are developing a Digital smile design service so patients can clearly see what the outcome of their treatment may look like before committing.


Maria Our Specialist Orthodontist travelled to London on the 2nd Sept to examine for the Royal College of Surgeon’s future orthodontic therapists – feeling honoured and excited to be examining the next generation of professionals.


How to look after your teeth

THIS HALLOWEEN

Pumpkins, skeletons, and…cavities? Indeed, Halloween is the most fun-filled and frightening time of the year!

And, of course, along with Halloween comes piles upon piles of delicious sweet treats.

As fun as Halloween is, it’s important to make sure you maintain good oral health as you enjoy the day.

Follow our dentistry tips to make sure you scream in laughter

  1. Visit your dentist often
  2. Brush after every snack
  3. Ration out your sweets
  4. Avoid certain sweets if you have braces

Have a happy halloween


Bamford Family News….

Congratulations Ishaq who has been awarded “Educational Supervisor” of the year North West.

Goodbye to one of our receptionists Liz. We will all miss you!

We would just like to say a huge congratulations to Abi, Michelle & Lauren on the birth of their babies. We all can’t wait to meet them!

Congratulations to one of our Dentist’s Felicity and fiancé Jack on their engagement


Missing a Tooth?

Do you have a missing tooth which is affecting your confidence?

Are you interested in Dental Implants?

Contact us on 01706 527700 to book a consultation


Thanks to all the team at Bamford for bringing in food donations for
Heywood foodbank


Boutique Whitening Now Only £199 – Quote BAMFORD20


Our Charities


We Value Your Feedback

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Download the Bamford Newsletter – October 2020

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Have some questions

I am afraid of going to the dentist ... What can I do?

Come and see our gentle and relaxed team to talk through your concerns. We also offer sedation to reduce anxiety during treatment.

What causes cavities?

Sugar in food and drink is converted into acid by bacteria which live on the teeth. Reducing the frequency of sugary foods and drinks reduces the number of “acid attacks” and therefore regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste can help to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce decay.

Which is better, a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush?

Current evidence shows that an electric toothbrush can perform better than a manual toothbrush if used correctly. Electric brushes with a rotating ossolating head (for example, Oral B Professional) have been shown to give the best results. Don’t forget your inter-dental cleaning aids, such as TePe brushes and floss!

There are so many toothpastes to choose from; how do I know which one to use?

We recommend toothpaste with a fluoride content of 1,350 – 1,500 parts per million (ppm). In certain circumstances your Dentist may prescribe a toothpaste with a higher fluoride content (patients with extensive decay or patients with a dry mouth, please ask your Dentist for more details).

How often should I go to my dentist for a check-up?

We usually recommend a check-up every 6 months. Patients susceptible to dental decay or gum disease may need to be seen more frequently.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by the body’s immune reaction to the build-up of dental plaque. If left untreated this can lead to the development of pockets between teeth and gums which can harbour bacteria. This can lead to bone loss which causes gum recession and undermines the support for teeth.

How safe are dental X-rays?

Most dental x-rays require a tiny dose of radiation. Did you know, a long-haul flight from London to New York can expose you to 30 more times radiation than a small x-ray inside your mouth.

If a person suffers from gum disease can they with correct treatment and following advise from dentist become free of this problem?

Yes, if a patient suffering from gum disease is treated correctly and if the patient follows the guidance of dental care professionals they can be ‘free’ of this problem but will need lifelong maintenance and monitoring to make sure the patient does not relapse and if they do, we can guide them and help them to control the disease and return to a maintenance phase.

Question of the month

When should I take my child to the dentist for their first visit?

When their first baby teeth arrive, usually around 6 months of age. However, it is wise to get advice from your Dentist to prevent tooth decay even before the baby teeth erupt.