Scottish dental practice closes after coronavirus discovery

All staff informed and given public health advice

A dental practice in Cumbernauld has closed after someone was diagnosed with coronavirus.

The Stewart and Stewart Dental Practice in Cumbernauld Village’s Main Street took the decision to temporarily close as a precaution on Monday following the emergence of a coronavirus case at the practice.

Picture: Ian Georgeson

The practice is currently working closely with NHS Lanarkshire’s public health team who are in the process of contacting patients who have been in contact with the confirmed case.

All staff at the dental surgery have been also been informed and given public health advice.

The individual with coronavirus is being treated in hospital and is clinically well.

Dr Femi Oshin, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: “We want to reassure all staff and patients of the practice that the risk of contracting coronavirus from this individual is low.

“Our public health team is in the process of telephoning those patients who have been in contact with the confirmed case and issuing public health advice. These phone calls will take place over the next day.

“Not everyone who has attended the practice last week will have had contact with the confirmed case. We want to reassure these patients – and indeed everyone at this time – that they should follow the most up-to-date health advice, which can be found on the NHS Inform website.

“We would like to thank everyone at the practice for their cooperation and support at what will undoubtedly be a difficult time for them. We will provide further details on the practice reopening in due course.”

Patients who have been in contact with the confirmed case at the practice and are in need of urgent dental care should contact the Public Dental Service at Coathill Hospital on 01236 707711 where they will be given appropriate advice.

Any other patients of the practice in need of urgent dental care should contact NHS24 while the practice remains closed.

Dr Gordon Stewart, a partner in the practice, said: “The health and safety of our patients and staff are of paramount importance to us.

“As soon as we were notified of this matter we immediately agreed with NHS Lanarkshire’s public health officials that to close temporarily as a precaution would be the most appropriate step to take.

“I would like thank our wonderful staff for their understanding and support at this time.

“I would also like to express my sincere apologies to all our patients for the inconvenience this will cause but hope they will understand our reasons for this course of action and fully support our decision.

“We will endeavour to keep all staff and patients updated during this period.”

The current number of confirmed cases in the UK currently stands at 319, with 23 in Scotland. There have been over 2100 people in Scotland tested for the virus.