A sign posted on the door of a downtown Grande Prairie dental practice (Photo: Shaun Penner)

By Shaun Penner

Dentistry during COVID-19

Dentists balancing emergency care, patient health during COVID-19

Apr 20, 2020 | 12:57 PM

Dentists in the Peace Country and across Alberta have had to make adjustments amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which in turn has made it more difficult for patients to receive dental care.

As the pandemic unfolded here in Alberta last month, the province shuttered all non-essential businesses to the public, which included dental practices for any non-urgent care. Many dentists’ offices are still operating but are on an emergency services-only basis.

President of the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C) Dr. Troy Basarab says dentists are trying to strike a balance between helping patients receive emergency care, while keeping them and their staff safe from the novel coronavirus.

“Emergency care looks a little different than it maybe used to, because we are trying to keep that physical distancing as much as possible,” said Dr. Basarab. “We’re asking our dentists as much as possible to provide pharmacology care first. So, antibiotics and pain medication to get people through the short term.”

However, should the pharmaceutical route not suffice, Dr. Basarab says there are guidelines in place that allow dentists to treat their patients in-person.

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“What we have defined as an emergency is dental treatment that includes the treatment of oral/facial trauma, significant infection, prolonged bleeding or pain that cannot be managed with over-the-counter medication.”

In any situation where a patient does need to see a dentist in-person for treatment, the ADA&C has laid out a number of guidelines for dentists to follow before allowing a patient into their practice. This includes a remote pre-screening of the patient for COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors.

However, Dr. Basarab says part of that pre-screening would also include questions to determine the true need for in-person care.

“In a traditional sense, screening would be looking at the dental factors. How severe is this pain? What are the dental issues involved?’” said Dr. Basarab. “It’s kind of that dual screening, that is aimed at identifying ‘is this something that can wait?’”

The guidelines also state that any staff member at the practice be screened daily before being allowed to come to work. Patients and staff are also advised to fill out consent forms prior to any procedure.

Dr. Basarab does understand that some patients may feel frustrated that they cannot go to their dentist as they normally would for certain treatments, and he does call for patience during this time. He says its is important to not only protect their patients health due to the nature of close contact in the dental profession, but it is just as important to protect dentists, hygienists, assistants and clerical staff as much as possible.

“It is so critical that we protect ourselves and our staff,” said Dr. Basarab. “The biggest part of this picture right now is preventing the spread of the virus, and then trying to manage the dental side of the emergency until we can get to the other side of this (pandemic).”

Dr. Basarab adds that he is proud of the work dentists and the association have done to adapt quickly to the situation created by the pandemic.

“We can be proud of the way that dentists are continuing to provide that emergency care and to do a good job for Albertans.”