COVID-19 Update: New revisions to guidance
The RCDSO has updated its guidance for managing infection risks during in-person dental care.
This update reflects collaboration between Ontario’s four oral health Colleges to ensure consistent expectations for delivery of oral health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specific updates outline some preliminary steps to ease precautions for dentistry in compliance with the direction of public health authorities, and in alignment with the other oral health care regulatory Colleges. The guidance is based on the best available evidence and data, and prioritizes caution and safety.
The updates include:
-
amendments to ensure the guidance of all Ontario’s oral health professions is consistent (including dentists, dental hygienists, denturists, and dental technologists)
-
the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 screening tool has been updated for dentists and dental office staff
-
the obligation of dentists to record and retain the COVID-19 screening results of individuals attending the office has been clarified
-
some precautions have been reduced for patients who have screened negative for COVID-19 including aerosol-generating procedures and reduced PPE
-
new guidance for when a parent or caregiver may wish to be present during an aerosol-generating procedure, including PPE requirements
-
the percentage target for airborne contaminant removal has been reduced from 99.9% to 99% resulting in shorter fallow times.
Click here to read the new version of COVID-19: Managing infection risks during in-person dental care. Further information and resources are available in our FAQs on COVID-19.
The College will amend this guidance as circumstances change.