RCDSO Update - March 20, 2020 (COVID-19)

The Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health has now published Directive #2 for Health Care Providers.  The Directive advises that:

All non-essential and elective services should be ceased or reduced to minimal levels, subject to allowable exceptions, until further notice. Allowable exceptions can be made for time sensitive circumstances to avert or avoid negative patient outcomes or to avert or avoid a situation that would have a direct impact on the safety of patients.

The directive goes on to say that, “in making decisions regarding the reduction or elimination of non-essential and elective services, regulated health professionals should be guided by their regulatory College.”

The College strongly advises you to follow the requirements of the Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health.

As before, the RCDSO strongly recommends that all non-essential and elective dental services should be suspended immediately. Emergency treatment should continue.

Call or email Practice Advisory if you need clarification on what is included in the category of allowable exceptions.

You can read the entire Directive on our COVID-19 webpage. You will also find guidance on “true emergency situations” on that page.