Masks mandate from 25/05/21, Seeing patients Face to Face from 11:59pm 10/06/21

With the ease of restrictions noted after the lockdown, we are now seeing patients face to face from 11/06/21.

Please check the Victoria exposure sites on : https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites before attending your appointment. 

If you have attended any of the sites listed, please call immediately to cancel  your appointment. 

**We will be screening all patients for COVID-19 when you call for your appointment.

**Implementation below for the COVID-19 outbreak remains. Please contact the practice if you have any questions.

Shibata Dental is asking all staff, patients and visitors to delay their dental appointment if: 

• they feel unwell, including but not limited to experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms; OR
• within the last 14 days, they have travelled overseas; OR
• within the last 14 days, they have had contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19
• have attended any of the sites listed under the state government website: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites

• making sure to use the alcohol hand rub upon arrival and departure.
• making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• wearing of the face mask is mandatory when attending your appointment.

What is coronavirus (COVID-19)? ^[1]

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2) belongs to a family of RNA viruses known as Coronaviridae which includes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Milddle-East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The coronavirus causes respiratory illness. Symptoms range from a mild cough to pneumonia. Some people recover easily, others may get very sick very quickly. There is evidence that it spreads from person to person. Good hygiene can prevent infection.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms^[2]

Many people who contract COVID–19 will suffer only mild symptoms. However early indications are that the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions are more at risk of experiencing severe symptoms.

The most common symptoms reported include:

• Fever
• Breathing difficulties such as breathlessness
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Runny nose/Stuffy nose
• Anosmia
• Loss of smell/Loss of taste
• Headache
• Myalgia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

[1] Australian Government, Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov, accessed 5-83-20

[2] Victorian Government, Department of Health and Human Services, available from https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19, accessed 5-8-2