Masking in Dental Clinics

Dear registrants,

This week, Nova Scotia Health announced that it is making masks mandatory to enter its facilities. It cited rising COVID-19 cases and the coming influenza season, among other factors. 

The Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia (PDBNS) will not be mandating masking for people in dental clinics, except in clinical, instrument reprocessing, and laboratory areas as outlined on page 17 of the PDBNS Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Standard (the “Standard”).

Dentists are encouraged to set masking policies for their practices based on their clinical judgement and in light of their practice settings/demographics. 

As per the Standard, patients are or who appear to be ill should be rescheduled if possible. If their dental condition is of an emergency or urgent nature and their appointment cannot be rescheduled, additional precautions must be implemented, as appropriate, based on patient assessment.

Also, as per the Standard, “Oral Health Care Providers (OHCPs) who have upper respiratory illness….should take the necessary precautions to prevent the transmission of microorganisms to patients and other staff.  This includes practising respiratory etiquette by covering their coughs and sneezes with their elbows or a tissue, rather than with their hands, and discarding used tissues immediately.  Additionally, diligent hand hygiene is especially important.  OHCPs who have severe respiratory illness with fever (e.g., influenza), acute viral gastroenteritis with vomiting and/or diarrhea, or acute conjunctivitis must stay at home until their symptoms have subsided.”

Recent dental office inspections have found a high level of diligence with respect to IPAC protocols. I am confident in registrants’ adherence to best practices in this area

Sincerely,
Dr. Doug Mackey, DDS
Registrar