Can someone please finally fix my tooth ache? Yes.
Our dentists are required by their regulatory body and the Ontario government regulations to open in a staged approach.
Dentists are now permitted to resume providing non-essential and elective care along with essential services, emergency and urgent care.
If you visit your dentist, the Ontario Dental Association has indicated that you may have to take, or be subject to, certain measures, which may include patient screening, mask use and waiting outside the dental office to be called in for your appointment.
I think I have a dental emergency: what do I do?
Call your dentist. They will ask you for information about your situation, including whether you have any symptoms of COVID-19, and give you advice about next steps. If you need to visit the office, they will let you know if they can help or will direct you to another dentist.
Do not go to a hospital emergency room for a dental problem at this time.
Visiting my dentist: Is it safe?
Dentists must consider the best interests of their patients and communities at all times. The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, our dentists' regulatory body, has developed a guidance document for dentists: COVID-19: Managing Infection Risks During In-Person Dental Care.
Dentists have to follow this guidance document along with information from the Chief Medical Officer of Health when re-opening their office and providing care.
Here are the key areas of the guidance document provided to your dentist to help ensure your safety and manage infection risks during in-person dental care.
Infection Prevention and Control
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Infection prevention and control in dentistry is vital for safe patient care.
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All dentists providing dental treatment are required to ensure the College’s Standard on Infection Prevention and Control are met in their dental practice.
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If you are concerned about your dental condition, your dentist will ask you questions over the telephone and determine if you need to be seen. If you need to be seen in the office, there are strict Infection Prevention and Control Standards that they must follow.
Sterilization
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Your dentist must ensure that the office and operatories are clean and disinfected between each patient appointment.
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Your dentist must ensure magazines, toys, and any other non-essential items are removed from office, reception area, and operatories.
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Dentists must tell their staff to clean their hands frequently, especially before and after contact with patients, after contact with high-touch surfaces or equipment, and after removing PPE.
Dentists’ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Your dentist or oral health care worker should wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, protective eyewear, masks and protective clothing (if an aerosol-generating procedure is performed. PPE should always be used during your treatment.
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Your dentist must ensure that they can meet the PPE and operatory requirements before they schedule an in-person appointment for assessment or treatment.
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If your dentist can’t meet the PPE and operatory requirements, and you require emergency treatment, your dentist must refer you to another dentist.
Patient Screening and PPE
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Before you go into the office, your dentist or their staff will ask you screening questions about to see if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
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Dentists must require all patients and visitors to wear a mask at all times while in the office except when they are being treated.
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Patients who arrive without a mask given one by staff before entering the office. If they can’t provide a mask, they will schedule a new appointment.
Hand Hygiene
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Patients will be required to perform hand hygiene (washing) using a 70-90% alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water, as soon as they enter the dental office.
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Your dentist may ask you to disinfect with 70-90% alcohol-based hand rub before leaving the dental office.
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Your dentist or oral health care worker must wash their hands with soap and running water.
Patient experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
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Contact your doctor if you might have COVID-19.
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Call Telehealth Ontario. The Telehealth number is 1-866-797-0000. Stay in self-isolation until you receive instructions otherwise from one of the above sources.
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Patients should tell office dental staff if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days after their dental appointment.
I don’t want to go to my dentist’s office. Can my dentist just prescribe medications for me over the phone?
Your dentist will decide if over-the-counter medications (e.g. Advil, Tylenol) are recommended, if prescription medications are necessary, or if you need to be seen at the office.
If you need a prescription, your dentist may send a prescription to the pharmacy directly, if appropriate.
During this pandemic, all dentists must continue to practice within the College's Guidelines on prescriptions for narcotics and/or opioids.
