Phased return of dental services outlined in Government’s ‘route map’
An increase in care offered at emergency dental hubs is included in the first phase of the Scottish Government’s ‘route map’ out of the COVID-19 crisis, published today.
The first of four phases – outlined in an attempt to “get back to some semblance of normality”, as the First Minister says in a foreword to the document – is scheduled to begin on 28 May, with each phase being reviewed every three weeks.
It is anticipated that the increase in the range of treatments available at the emergency dental hubs will happen in parallel with the development of plans to reopen dental practices.
The route map anticipates that all dental practices will be open to see patients with urgent care needs during phase two and open to all registered patients for non-aerosol routine care during phase three.
If the phases coincide with the three week review of restrictions then these steps could begin on 18 June and 9 July respectively.
However, the route map makes clear: “It may be that not everything currently listed in a single phase will happen at the same time. It might be possible to lift some measures more quickly while some may take longer than we envisage now. A single phase may also span more than one review period.”
The Chief Dental Officer’s plan for remobilising NHS dental services in Scotland, published yesterday, stated that all practices could be open by 31 July at the earliest and even then only for urgent care.
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