Dentistry and the Coronavirus – Do we do things differently? Managing suspected cases of COVID-19
Yes
We now need to manage the potential risk of encountering a suspected case.
It is important that we identify returned travellers (both patients and staff) at risk of COVID-19 i.e.
- those who have had close or casual contact 14 days before illness onset with a confirmed case of COVID-19
OR
- those who have travelled to or transited, in the 14 days before the onset of illness, from any overseas countries are now considered to pose a high risk of transmission in the last 14 days:
Guidelines recommend that travellers who satisfy these criteria observe a 14-day quarantine period. This means they are required to monitor their health for 14 days after arriving and isolate themselves.
Seek medical advice should you have the symptoms of COVID-19:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
Treatment options
Dentists are advised to delay elective treatment of any patient who is actively infected, suspected of infection, has been in contact with an infected person or who is serving a self-isolation period.
People who are unwell with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should immediately be given a surgical mask to put on and directed to return home and contact the Australian Government Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 or the Healthdirect Hotline on 1800 022 222.
Emergency Treatment
A person confirmed to be infected will likely be admitted to hospital. Should they require emergency dental treatment, they will be triaged and if necessary, treated by the hospital dentist or maxillofacial surgeon. The provision of dental treatments necessitates the need for airborne transmission-based precautions, which cannot be safely provided in general dental practice due to the need for a negative pressure room.
If in doubt please contact the surgery or the Australian Government Department of Health Coronavirus health information line on 1800 020 080.
Need an Appointment?
If you’d like to book an appointment with the dentist at Seymour Dental then call us in Dulwich Hill, Sydney on (02) 9564 2397 or
contact us
Next week
Emergency Medical Training 2020