As you know, the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to change at a rapid pace.
Currently, dental practitioners are recommended to follow operational level 3 restrictions in Australia.
Some dental practices have already made the choice to limit treatment to emergency and urgent care only.
Dental Practices may soon be restricted to operational level 4.
Support to patients must be remembered, and for some, the terminology “emergency” and “urgent” dental treatment may cause increased stress for patients and the healthcare system if they instead present to a GP or in very severe cases, require hospitalization.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is a situation that requires immediate treatment.
This can include:
- Facial swelling
- Facial trauma
Both facial swelling and trauma have the potential to affect your airway. Immediate treatment should be sought for these conditions.
What is urgent dental treatment?
Urgent dental treatment involves providing care for conditions that cause significant pain, infection or directly affect your health and wellbeing.
This can include:
- Severe dental pain, usually affecting sleep
- An abscess or infection within the mouth
- Tooth fracture where the nerve becomes exposed
- Dental trauma from accidents or sports causing teeth to be knocked out or moved from their original place in the mouth
- Medically necessary dental treatment prior to medical or surgical procedures that cannot be delayed
- Dental conditions that if left untreated may become a dental emergency in 4-6month.
It is important that you do not attend for treatment if you have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms including cough, fever, sore throat or difficulty in breathing.
We ask you to please attend alone or bring minimal additional persons.
Please be assured if you are attending for treatment, that under the guidance of the Australian Dental Association, Dr Sheetal Sachdeva BDS (Dental Surgeon) has implemented further infection control measures to keep you and us safe.
Although the treatments we can provide you have been restricted for the time being, please know we are here to continue helping you care for your oral health.
If you have a dental issue not listed above but are experiencing pain or it is affecting your wellbeing, please contact the practice, and we will provide help where possible.
Please call (03) 9800 2338 to contact Grace, if we do not answer, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
