By Sheldon Spackman

Emergencies Only

Alberta Dental Association and College suspends non-emergency treatments

Mar 17, 2020 | 4:11 PM

The Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C) is suspending all non-emergency dental treatment and services, effective immediately.

The decision was shared in a letter to dentists on Tuesday and posted to the ADA&C website.

Dentists may continue to provide emergency treatment at this time. And, at a minimum, Alberta dentists must provide telephone access to address patients’ continuity of care.

“Emergency dental treatment may include treatment of oral-facial trauma, significant infection, prolonged bleeding or pain which cannot be managed by over-the-counter medications,” says Dr. R. Croutze, Registrar & CEO of the ADA&C in his statement. “It is appropriate to provide needed care that if left untreated becomes a more significant burden on our health care resources and significantly compromises patient health.”

Pre-screening of patients by phone is now strongly recommended by the ADA&C. If a patient presents unannounced at the dental practice, the association asks dentists to refer to AHS screening directions. It’s noted that further dental specific pre-screening directions are also being developed.

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“Dentists who are providing emergency care must perform a thorough pre-treatment risk assessment that includes risk to the patient, to the oral health care provider and to the greater community before any treatment is undertaken,” the statement continues. “Dentists in Alberta have a duty to prevent exposure to an infection from COVID-19. If risks are identified that cannot be immediately or succinctly mitigated, the determined care must be postponed or referred to an appropriate provider.”

Association officials say ADA&C is in the process of developing a list of facilities capable of accepting symptomatic patients. More information is anticipated to be provided to dentists about the list.

“Care provided must be compliant with existing ADA&C Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Standards and guidance or the treatment must cease,” reads the statement. “Capacity to provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for all oral healthcare providers must be assessed before treatment can be initiated.”

ADA&C officials point out that further resources under development include links and resources on employment considerations for dental staff, guidelines on treatment of emergent patients in office, and a list of facilities accepting patients.

For more information, click here.