In the introduction to the phased transition for dental practices towards the resumption of the full range of dental services, Chief Dental Office for England Sara Hurley writes: 'The subsequent pace of progression towards the resumption of the full range of routine dental care, including aerosol generating procedures (AGP), will need to be risk-managed by the individual practice and will be subject to following the necessary IPC and PPE requirements.
'Central to the phased transition of dental services and the resumption of all service provision is the acknowledged clinical judgement of practitioners and their ability to risk manage the delivery of dental care. This document is designed to provide supporting guidance for the initial transition from recommencing face to face care towards the full resumption of dental care services; a practice-led, progressive approach.
Key responsibilities include:
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Monitor safety and assure the protection of the public, our patients and our dental workforce
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Remain agile in our response to a re-imposition of public health measures, be it a local or national requirement to mitigate risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Key principles include:
Ahead of resuming face to face care, all dental practice should continue to provide remote consultations with triage and advice as necessary options. This will enable practices to identify possible/confirmed COVID-19 cases (and household contacts), patients that are shielding, and patients at increased risk, in order to ensure safe care in an appropriate setting.
PPE protocols in line with government advice must be adhered to
For non-AGP care: standard infection control precautions PPE – eye protection, disposable fluid-resistant (Type llR) surgical masks, disposable apron and gloves should be worn.
For all AGPs: to prevent aerosol transmission – disposable, fluid-repellent gown or approved equivalent, gloves, eye/face protection and an FFP3 respirator should be worn by those undertaking or assisting in the procedure.
Dental care pathway
The full SOP paper can be found here – https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/dental-standard-operating-procedure-transition-to-recovery/