COVID-19 Update - New requirements for dentistry in response to Omicron variant
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a revised Directive #2 to preserve health system capacity by stopping or deferring procedures that:
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risk placing further strain on intensive care resources (e.g., procedures that carry a higher risk of subsequent hospitalizations).
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use health human resources that could be redeployed to intensive care units.
To comply, dentists must cease immediately:
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Non-emergent and non-urgent major surgical procedures (e.g., osteotomies, such as LeFort and bilateral sagittal split procedures, and use of rigid fixation) that carry a substantive risk of resulting in the use of emergency medical services or other hospital services.
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Other non-emergent and non-urgent dental procedures that carry a substantive risk of resulting in the use of emergency medical services or other hospital services.
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Non-emergent and non-urgent sedation and general anesthetic procedures requiring a sedation or anesthetic team (i.e., parenteral moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia) as described in the RCDSO’s Standard of Practice on the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia in Dental Practice.
Routine dental procedures and services performed by dentists and dental hygienists in community settings may continue. In addition, the use of nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation, oral minimal sedation and oral moderate sedation are permissible, as they do not require a sedation or anesthetic team.
Surgeries and procedures may be provided if they are for the treatment of emergency or urgent care that cannot be delayed (see the College’s definitions for emergency/urgent and non-emergent/non-urgent).
Please also review other recent changes made by the Government of Ontario that may affect your practice.
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Dentists and staff must continue to don N95 respirators (or their equivalent) for all in-person patient interactions and for the provision of all direct clinical care.
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Dentists are now permitted to administer COVID-19 vaccines under supervision. Dentists who are interested in participating in the COVID-19 booster rollout can register at the Health Workforce Matching portal.
Questions? Refer to our COVID-19: Managing Infection Risks During In-Person Dental Care guidance document, COVID-19 FAQs or email practiceadvisory@rcdso.org.