The National Cabinet is set to discuss changes to elective surgery restrictions tomorrow, a discussion which will also include, after direct ADA advocacy on the issue, a proposal that dental practices return to Level 2 restrictions, rather than Level 3, which have been in effect since 23 March 2020.
The ADA has been liaising on an almost weekly basis with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) to ensure restriction levels are proportionate to the risk to the community.
The ADA has also been working on a range of resources to help dentists transition back to level 2, including providing guidance around the types of treatments that can be performed, how to communicate with patients, and recommissioning equipment.
While there are no guarantees that the agenda item will pass the committee process, Australian dentistry’s peak body believes that this recommendation is a tremendous leap forward for both practices and patients, as the profession continues to work through the COVID-19 crisis.
Uncertainty remains on when things will return to normal; however, the ADA is working, on both a Federal and branch level, to get dental practices up and running as quickly as possible.
It is hoped that an easing of restrictions will be confirmed in the next few days.
For the full range of resources on COVID-19, visit www..ada.org.au/covid19
