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March 16, 2020 - 5:10 PM
B.C. dentists are being told by their governing body to halt all elective and non-essential dental services, and anyone who attended a recent dental conference in Vancouver must immediately self-isolate.
The College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. issued a statement today, March 16, telling dentists to suspend all services with clients until further notice, unless it's an emergency.
The college is also asking that those who attended the 2020 Pacific Dental Conference to self-isolate until March 22.
"All registrants 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," according to the statement.
“If risks are identified that cannot be immediately or sufficiently mitigated, the determined care must be postponed or referred to an appropriate provider. Pre-screening of patients by phone is preferable. Offices should develop a pre-screening protocol for patients who present in person.”
Provincial health medical officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced this morning that “a significant number of new cases (of COVID-19 virus infection) are related to the Pacific Dental Conference 2020 held at the Vancouver Convention Centre on March 6 and 7.”
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