FAQs About 3Dental During COVID-19

Currently, we are conducting emergency and essential treatments only. Though we will provide some general guidelines here, determining whether you should attend an appointment should only be decided between you and your dentist. For the majority of patients, we will need to reschedule your appointments.

If you are experiencing pain, loss of functionality, swelling, bleeding or other forms of discomfort, you may be able to be seen.

Information about specific treatments is provided on this page. We will be reviewing all of our scheduled appointments and contacting all of our patients. We will honour any deposits or payments made toward treatments.

Patients should not worry about losing a deposit for not attending a scheduled appointment.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort or believe that your treatment is essential, please contact the clinics during opening hours.

If your call or email is not immediately answered, please be patient. We will respond to you as quickly as possible.

Since we are currently operating with reduced staff numbers, we ask that people be patient.

We are going through a high volume of appointments, phone calls and emails, and will contact all of our patients to discuss their treatments.

The contact details for the practices are:

• Dublin: (01) 485 1033 | dublin@3dental.ie
• Limerick: (061) 414 673 | limerick@3dental.ie

• We are following guidelines put forward by the WHO and the HSE
• We have IQair dental model air purification systems in our clinics. HyperHEPA filtration filters 95% of even these tiniest of viruses and other contaminants
• We have reduced staff numbers 
• We are rescheduling all but emergency appointments
• We are screening everyone who enters the clinics including taking temperatures with an infrared thermometer
• We are triaging patients via phone, email and video
• We require all patients who are experiencing any flu-like symptoms not to visit the clinics. These include fever, tiredness and a cough or difficulty breathing
• We are providing hand-sanitiser in all areas (clinical and non-clinical)
• We are providing the highest standard of PPE (personal protective equipment) to our clinicians
• We are providing hydrogen peroxide pre-procedural mouth rinse for all patients
• We have implemented strict cross infection control and are rotating surgeries
• We have instituted a no hand-shake policy
• We have increased our disinfection rate in all clinical and non-clinical areas
• We have considerably reduced the number of patients we are seeing and are maintaining social distancing in the clinics

A general guideline is if you are experiencing pain or discomfort, you may be eligible to attend an appointment. You will need to contact the clinic to arrange, as we can not
accept walk-in appointments at this time. To arrange an appointment, please contact the Dublin or Limerick clinic.

Every case is unique, but the general guidelines outlined on this page may help you to understand if your situation requires essential treatment.

For up to date information visit hse.ie. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should self-isolate and contact your GP.

When attending an appointment at 3Dental, we ask that you observe these practices:

• Do not visit the clinic if you are exhibiting any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 including; cough, breathing difficulties, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, sore throat or aches and pains, or if you have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Wash your hands frequently with warm soapy water, use hand sanitiser provided and observe the no hand-shaking policy
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Maintain social distancing while visiting the clinics and sit away from other patients
• Use good respiratory hygiene - cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Immediately dispose of used tissues in a closed bin
• Be safe, be smart and be patient

No. Only those who are sick should wear masks and thus should not be visiting the clinic, anyone who is sick should self-isolate at home. Also, there is a global shortage of this equipment and should only be used by the sick and healthcare workers.

Masks do not work if used for a prolonged amount of time or if they become humid, wet or soiled.

Gloves are single-use only and are ineffective after long periods. Gloves can also create a false sense of security. If you are wearing gloves, it should be for a specified purpose for a limited amount of time. Gloves need to be disposed of correctly. You should not handle personal items such as phones, bags and wallets while wearing gloves.

• Wash your hands thoroughly before brushing
• Continue to brush and floss as recommended
• Do not share a toothbrush.
• Toothbrushes should be stored apart from each other. If you store your toothbrushes in a cup on the sink, it may be desirable to move them away from one another for the time being
• Periodically disinfect the sink with bleach or an antibacterial cleaner

For the time being general appointments, cleaning appointments and check-ups will need to be postponed. If you have a scheduled appointment, you will be contacted by the clinic to advise you.

A broken tooth could be sensitive or painful. What's more, if left untreated, a broken tooth could get worse.

If you have broken a tooth, call the clinics, and they can advise you on the best course of action.

First things first, don’t worry! There are very few emergencies in orthodontics. If you have your braces on for a few extra weeks while your orthodontist’s clinic is closed this is not a problem.

DO NOT go to A&E for an orthodontic emergency. Please contact your orthodontist/practice by phone or email for the best advice. We are always happy to help.

We will need to postpone most routine orthodontic appointments. There is no adverse effect to missing a braces tightening appointment, aside from potentially lengthening the treatment period.

If you are concerned about tooth movement, you can take a photo with your phone, and send it in to us.

If there is an issue with your braces that is causing pain or discomfort, for instance, a wire has come loose and is cutting the inside of your mouth, ring our clinic, and we can advise you on the best course of action or set an appointment if necessary.

At the moment, we don’t know exactly when clinics will be re-opening. Here are some tips and answers to questions that we hear often.

• Drink water and milk. Limit sugary and fizzy drinks.
• Snack on healthy foods (cheese, yoghurts, bread, fruit, vegetables). Avoid hard, chewy foods that might break your brace.
• Brush your teeth for 2 minutes 3 times a day, ensuring you are cleaning all around each brace. Take your time! Spit out toothpaste but don’t rinse with water, this leaves a layer of fluoride which makes your teeth stronger after the acid attacks from eating.
• Don’t forget to use TePes or interproximal brushes under your brace/wires. This is an essential step to keep the teeth clean when you have braces.
• If you are wearing aligners, elastics or retainers, continue wearing these as usual, as prescribed by your orthodontist.
• If you come to the end of your aligners, continue to wear the last aligner as a retainer to hold the position of your teeth.
• If you are wearing twin blocks or a removable appliance, keep wearing them as your orthodontist prescribed.
• If your bracket breaks, don’t worry, this is not an emergency. Your orthodontist can fix this quickly when they are back up and running.
• If a wire is long and is cutting you/causing ulcers, use the wax that was provided to you. If this does not work, contact that practice, and we will fit you in. 

Most Invisalign appointments will be postponed. There is no harm in delaying the fitting of a new Invisalign tray. You can continue to wear your most recent Invisalign tray and could consider wearing the aligner less once you have achieved the desired movement.

In general cosmetic procedures are not considered essential. A patient undergoing a cosmetic treatment who is wearing a temporary crown or veneers may need to come in to fit the permanent tooth, especially if the temporary is coming loose or is not correctly functioning.

Contact the clinic to discuss your procedure.

Patients wearing dentures should continue to clean their dentures as recommended.
Appointments for denture fittings can be considered essential, especially if the patient is not able to eat.

If you have questions about your denture or believe you need an appointment, call the clinics, and they will be able to advise you.

A lost retainer can have adverse effects, and it may be essential to replace the retainer immediately. If you have lost your retainer, call the clinic, and they can advise you on what
to do next.

Patients who are undergoing whitening treatments can continue the process, observing the instructions that were given with the treatment. If you have any questions about your whitening treatment, you can call the clinics during current open hours.

Implant and bridge patients need to maintain good daily oral hygiene. They should brush and floss twice daily and rinse with mouthwash.

Most implant treatments have been postponed. For patients that have recently received an implant treatment, we are conducting after surgery reviews. We are also seeing patients for fittings where they are essential, especially if patients are having difficulty eating or struggling without them.

Anyone who is experiencing pain, discomfort, bleeding or swelling around an implant, a loose implant crown or bridge, or a fractured temporary crown or bridge should contact the clinics who can advise on the best course of action for their situation.

The contact details for the clinics are:

• Dublin: (01) 485 1033 | dublin@3dental.ie
• Limerick: (061) 414 673 | limerick@3dental.ie