COVID-19 restrictions are currently in place across Greater Sydney, including Wollongong and Shellharbour, the Central Coast and Blue Mountains as well as regional and rural areas with restrictions in place. See this link for details.    

These measures are being taken to prevent unnecessary movement of the community to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. In support of this effort and to protect dental clinic staff and patients, dental practitioners throughout the newly added local government areas, including private dental practices, should restrict care to the assessment and treatment of emergency and urgent dental conditions only. This may include the management of patients or provision of care where failure to do so in a clinically appropriate timeframe will lead to adverse outcomes. Dental care that does not meet this criteria should be deferred. 

It is essential that dental practitioners continue to screen for COVID risk and use their professional judgement to assess what procedures are clinically necessary and cannot be deferred at this time. 

COVID-19 guidelines for dental services have been developed to ensure appropriate risk management measures and Personal Protective Equipment requirements during the pandemic response.

All dental treatment for confirmed or suspected cased of COVID-19 should be deferred wherever alternative management options (such as antibiotics or pain control) are appropriate, until the patient is recovered and released from isolation.  Emergency dental treatment for confirmed or suspected cases should not be treated in an office-based environment as full airborne precautions are required.

What does this mean for dental patients?

Please contact your dental provider if you have any concerns about having your dental treatment at this time.

All patients should be asked screening questions in alignment with current NSW Health advice before attending a clinic.