COVID-19 Update: State of Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order

The Provincial Government has declared a province-wide state of emergency which includes a stay-at-home order, now in effect. The order requires Ontarians to remain at home, except for essential purposes, to help limit the community spread of COVID-19.

The state of emergency and stay-at-home order do not alter the scope of care that dentists can provide, including in-person emergency, urgent, and non-essential care (see the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s Directive #2 and the College’s COVID-19 FAQ).

The College’s COVID-19: Managing Infection Risks During In-Person Dental Care guidance document has been updated. In response to the provincial shutdown, dentists are required to undertake enhanced precautions when providing in-person care.

You should exercise professional judgment when deciding how to triage and manage patient care in order to support reduced mobility within the community.

Dentists may consider deferring the in-person provision of non-essential care when possible (see the College’s COVID-19 FAQ for a definition and examples of non-essential care). Non-essential care may also be managed remotely, via Teledentistry.

Questions? Review the College’s COVID-19 FAQ and/or contact the College’s Practice Advisory Service (PAS) at (416) 934-5614 or email practiceadvisory@rcdso.org.