NEWS that dental practices can reopen from June 8 has came as a surprise to one local dentist, who says they were not expecting a decision to be made so soon.

Dentists across the country have been advising their patients digitally since they had to close due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The British Dental Association (BDA) has welcomed news the Government has given the green light for the restoration of routine care services in England but has cautioned that practices will need to move at different rates depending on availability and fittinag of PPE, their ability to enact ongoing social distancing measures, and time to implement appropriate cross-infection control.

Susan Spence, of Susan Spence Dental Health Practitioners in Ulverston, said: “It is something I am wrestling with at the moment and I have been inundated with information on safe reopening from experts in the dental world.

“The main issue is that I cannot get PPE anywhere, so the availability is a major problem at the moment. The market is flooded with fakes.

“In my opinion, the chief dental officer for England, Sara Hurley hasn’t handled this well at all.

“On Thursday, May 28, I received a letter at 9am “A Prompt to Prepare” which was dated for May 19. This was a guide to reopening.”

“Later that day it was announced that dentists could reopen from June 8.

“We are all taking time to put social distancing measures in our buildings and training staff.

“We have to prepare the practice to be a safe environment for everyone.”

“I am very aware that there are a great many patients in pain and discomfort who need our help as soon as possible”

“My main gripe though is with the surprise of the announcement.”

“I will be open very soon and thank everyone for their patience. The whole dental experience will be very different with limits to treatments we can do to start with”

NHS England and the Chief Dental Officer for England confirmed any practice that feels it is appropriately prepared can provide patient care from June 8.

This could see varying levels of treatments made available with immediate effect, with individual practitioners exercising their professional judgement on the pace of change.

BDA Chair Mick Armstrong said:“A return of high street dentistry we will be welcome news to millions of patients left with few options during lockdown, but key questions remain.

“It is right to allow practices to decide themselves when they are ready to open.”