COVID-19 Update: How Directive #2 affects dentistry
The Ministry of Health has now clarified the impact of Directive #2 for Health Care Providers. It confirmed that this version of Directive #2 is intended to stop procedures that could tax intensive care resources (e.g., procedures that carry higher risks of hospitalization) or utilize health human resources that could be redeployed to intensive care, where needed.
The Ministry has advised us that, in dentistry, the following non-emergent and non-urgent health care surgeries and procedures must cease, effective immediately:
- Major surgical procedures (e.g., osteotomies, use of rigid fixation) that carry a substantive risk of resulting in the use of emergency medical services or other hospital services. Read our message sent to oral maxillofacial surgeons.
- Other non-urgent and non-emergent dental procedures that carry a substantive risk of resulting in the use of emergency medical services or other hospital services.
- Sedation and general anesthetic procedures requiring a sedation or anesthetic team, as described in the RCDSO’s Standard of Practice on the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia in Dental Practice. Read our message sent to facility permit holders and dentists holding a certificate of authorization.
Note: the procedures above can proceed if they are required to deal with an emergent or urgent situation. See here for definitions of emergency, urgent and non-essential care.
Routine dental procedures and services performed by dentists and dental hygienists in community settings are not impacted and may proceed.
These measures are in effect until withdrawn by the Chief Medical Officer of Health. We will update you when that happens.
Questions? Contact practiceadvisory@rcdso.org or review our updated list of FAQs.