My dentist friend visited me for a socially-distanced lemonade a couple of days ago. He is totally constrained by the rules imposed by the health authority. He works only 2 days a week, and has to set aside 1 hour for each patient. That's 20 minutes to see the patient, 20 minutes for the aircon/scrubbers to clear the air, and then 20 minutes for him/his nurse to disinfect all surfaces etc.
He is prohibited from drilling or using any equipment that creates an aerosol effect including the irrigator and suction systems, and can basically fit a temporary filling or extract a tooth where no bleeding is likely, and that's it.
he has to wear a face-mask, underneath a shield-mask, two plastic aprons and 2 pairs of surgical gloves, all of which is disposed of and replaced for the next patient. NHS or private, it's the same rules. However, it appears that he may be allowed to get back to normal working in 2 weeks from now...depending on Covid figures.
Yes, that PPE has to be paid for...
