COVID-19: Ontario’s dentists to only perform emergency services

By

Published March 16, 2020 at 2:23 pm

dentistchair

Dentists in Ontario have been ordered to halt all non-essential and elective dental services in response to the increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the province.

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) issued a notice to their members on Sunday telling them that only emergency treatments should be offered at this time.

“In accordance with our mandate to act in the public’s interest and in hearing the numerous comments made to us by members, in consultation with hospitals and public health and others,” the notice said.

“The RCDSO strongly recommends that all non-essential and elective dental services should be suspended immediately. Emergency treatment should continue.”

According to the notice, securing enough personal protective equipment for practices and their staff has been a problem and therefore requires effective social distancing and ‘bold action’ are required.

They also recommended that given the impact essentially shuttering dental offices will have on staff, that employment lawyers be consulted.

The organization then said that they will continue to monitor the situation and that its recommendations will be reviewed in the coming weeks and are subject to change.

The College will revisit this recommendation in the first week of April.

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising