The following patient information is provided by the BC Dental Association (BCDA) based on information from the College of Dental Surgeons of BC (College) and the Provincial Health Officer. Learn more at the College COVID-19 information page at cdsbc.org/Pages/covid-19-info.aspx.
1.Where can I get answers to my questions about
COVID-19?
British Columbians can reach service representatives
seven days a week, from 7:30am to 8pm, by calling
1-888-COVID19. Information is available in more than
110 languages.
2. I went to the dentist the week after the dental
conference, do I need to self-isolate?
No. Advice from the Office of the Provincial Health
Officer indicates that only the dentists and dental staff
who attended the dental conference need to self-isolate
until Sunday, March 22.
3. How do dentists ensure that patients are protected
from being infected?
Dental clinics are like mi-hospitals and are
required to follow strict infection and exposure controls
on an ongoing basis. Dentists comply with Infection
Control Standards set by the College. The BCDA has
also provided dentists with an Exposure Control Plan that
outlines requirements for Personal Protection Equipment
(PPE) as a standard practice for managing all patients –
all the time. Both of these documents are posted on the
BCDA website under COVID-19.
4. If dental offices are so safe, why has elective and
non-essential dental treatment been suspended
indefinitely?
This was a prudent decision to adhere to the requirement
for social distancing and mitigate unnecessary patient
contact. On March 17, the Provincial Health Officer
declared a “Public Health Emergency” which means
that all elective medical and dental procedures are
suspended until further notice. Suspending these
services ensures that protective equipment and essential
human resources can be directed to critical care areas
until the crisis has passed.
5. If dentists are responsible to treat dental emergencies,
such as uncontrolled bleeding, infection, swelling or
trauma/accident. How do I know I’m safe?
Dentists follow Infection Control and Exposure Control
guidelines as a regular course of practice. With the focus
of containing the COVID-19 virus, until March 22, dentists
who attended the dental conference are required to
manage emergencies by phone first (prescribe antibiotics
or pain relief as required). Dentists who did not attend the
conference can provide essential as well as emergency care
in their office now. After March 22, all dentists can provide
essential as well as emergency care in their office following
standard protocols if the patient does not have symptoms.
If the patient has cold or flu symptoms, the dentist can treat
the patient in their practice or refer the patient to a clinic or
hospital with required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in
place.
As regulated health care professionals, dentists share
the primary responsibility to keep patients and staff safe.
They are committed to lessen the burden on overtaxed
hospitals by treating dental patients in their clinics within the
guidelines provided.
6. What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?
The Public Health Agency of Canada has provided
instructions for the steps you are expected to take in a
fact sheet called Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How to
isolate at home when you have COVID-19. A new COVID-19
assessment tool is also available at covid19.thrive.health/.
7. What is the difference between “self-isolate”,
“self-monitor” and “quarantine”?
Please refer to a very helpful resource from the Public
Health Agency of Canada titled Know the Difference: Self-monitoring, self-isolation, and isolation for COVID-19.