Health

Dentists could stay shut over fears of lack of PPE despite green light to reopen


DENTISTS could stay shut over fears of a lack of safety equipment, despite receiving the green light to reopen from Monday.

The Faculty of General Dental Practice have published new guidance on how surgeries can reopen safely on June 8.

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 Dentists could stay shut over fears of a lack of PPE
Dentists could stay shut over fears of a lack of PPECredit: Reuters

But dental leaders have expressed concern about the reopening due to a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Edinburgh Royal College of Surgeons dental chief Phil Taylor said further Government assurances were needed regarding the equipment.

He said: “We welcome further guidance and clarification on the protocol dental practices should follow in order to reopen, but we do not believe that all dental practices will be adequately equipped in time to safely reopen on June 8.

“If dental practices are going to reopen, the chief dental officers must give their absolute assurances that PPE will be readily available for all dental practitioners.

“If this assurance isn’t forthcoming, they must state that this is the case and clarify that many dental practices will not be able to reopen on this date.

Taylor added variations in in PPE could result in a “postcode lottery”.

British Dental Association’s Mick Armstrong said: “Last week’s government announcement was a bolt from the blue for dentists. They have not had time to prepare.”

“From lower patient numbers to higher costs, we know practices will need support to survive the ‘new normal’.”

Moment husband pulls his wife’s tooth out with pliers after she couldn’t get a dental appointment during coronavirus lockdown







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