Dentist during Covid lockdown

The prime minister of New Zealand initiated country wide Level 4 Alert lockdown since 11.59pm on Wednesday, March 25 2020.  Dentist are only able to provide limited urgent and emergency dental treatment according to NZDA (New Zealand Dental Association).  To reduce community spread, all non-essential and elective dental treatment is suspended from 23 March 2020 until further notice. Dental treatments create aerosol or air droplets. Therefore all non-essential and elective dental treatment are suspended until further notice by the DCNZ (Dental Council of New Zealand)

Definition of “Essential Dental Treatment”

1. Facial trauma/injury,  oral laceration or dentoalveolar injuries (for example: you/your children’s tooth completely come out (avulsed) in an accident
2. Swelling in the oral or around the face that is getting worse
3. You had an extraction wound prior to the lockdown that cannot be controlled with medications
4. Severe spasm of the jaw muscles, causing the mouth to remain tightly closed and unable to eat
5. Acute infections that worsen your existing medical conditions (eg diabetes) .
6. You have a fever as a result of dental infections.

If you need to see a dentist during the lockdown period, contact your usual dentist to see if they are able to give you advice via telephone or email. If you are unable to contact your usual dentist, click on the link below for a lists of dental practice operating for emergency dental services during Level 4 Alert Covid lockdown in Auckland.

https://dentistsnearme.co.nz/listing-category/covid-lockdown-emergency-dentist/

I have unfinished treatment plan with my dentist, will I be able to carried out my normal dental treatment after the Level 4 Alert lockdown ?

This is uncharted water, so we do not really know. Most likely your dentists may only be allowed to carried out simple non aerosol generating treatment and postponing elective treatment until instructed by the dental council that it is safe to do so. The best thing to do is to talk to your dentist and they can give you the best advice based on your situation.

Stay home, Save Lives and Be Kind.

Update 26 April 2020:

De-escalate to Alert Level 3

The Prime Minister of New Zealand has announced that the country will move to COVID19 Alert Level 3 from 11.59pm on Monday 27 April. “For dental care to be provided safely, restrictions on providing urgent and emergency dental care only continue to apply.” (source from Dental Council New Zealand)

So What is the definition of “Urgent” and “Emergency Dental Care” ?

“Urgent care” includes treatment for:
• dental or soft-tissue infections without a systemic effect
• severe pain that cannot be controlled by medication or the patient following self-help advice
• fractured teeth or pulpal exposure
• adjustment or repair of dental appliances where patient health is significantly impacted (for example, ability to eat).
“Dental emergencies” include:
• trauma-including facial/oral laceration and/or dentoalveolar injuries, such as avulsion of a permanent tooth
• oro-facial swelling that is serious and worsening
• post-extraction bleeding that the patient is not able to control with local measures
• dental conditions that have resulted in acute systemic illness or raised temperature as a result of dental infection
• severe trismus
• acute infections that are likely to exacerbate systemic medical conditions such as diabetes.

So, if you fit one or more of the criteria above, call your dentist for over the phone triage. Your dentist will give you the best advice as he/she knows your dental and medical history best.

Keep your bubble small, let’s keep New Zealand safe.

Update 11 May 2020

Dentist during Covid Lockdown Alert Level 2

With regards to dental care in New Zealand, things are pretty much back to normal at Level 2. Your dentists can perform all the procedures/dental treatments required as long as they have the level of PPE (Personal protective equipment) required by the Dental Council New Zealand.

But, be sensible and be kind to your dentist, if you have the following symptoms, please inform them first before you walk straight into the dental clinics. Health professionals are in the firing line. It is their job to look after you and your families, so please look after them and their families too.

Patients who meet any of the following criteria please inform your dentist through email or phone before turning up at the dental clinics:
• Positive for COVID-19
• Exhibit any of the following symptoms:
1. cough
2. sore throat
3. shortness of breath
4. runny nose, sneezing, post-nasal drip (coryza)
5. loss of smell (anosmia)
with or without fever
• Are a suspected case, or a close contact, or have been in isolation with a suspected case in the last 14 days
• Have travelled internationally in the last 14 days.

Please turn up for the dental appointments on time, not too early, not too late. Dentists want to keep the number of people the waiting room low. This is to protect you and other patients.

Be Sensible & Be Kind.

Dentist during Covid Lockdown

Update 9 June 2020

New Zealand moved to alert level 1 from 9th June 2020. There is not much changes for dental care providers around New Zealand. As before, please contact your dentists via phone or email if you have symptoms of Cough, Sore throat, Fever, Shortness of Breath, Anosmia, Coryza or if you have travelled internationally in the last 14 days before turning up at the dental practice. The rules are there to protect you and your family, so please be kind and be sensible.

Let’s keep New Zealand virus free.

Update 12 August 2020 to 26 August 2020

As of midday on Wednesday 12 August, Auckland will move to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 whereas the rest of the currently will move to Alert Level 2.  What if I need to see a dentist during covid lockdown alert level 2 ?

At level 2, dentists can pretty much perform all aspects of dentistry, including routine examination and scaling/cleaning. If you live in Auckland, which is under Alert level 3, treatment is restricted to “Urgent” and “Emergency” only.

Please contact your local dentist for advise first prior to turning up at the dental clinics. If you already have an appointment, please turn up on time. Please do not come too early or too late, this is to keep the waiting room clear.

Kia Kaha New Zealand! We can do this again if we all follow the recommendation from the government.