Green light for more dental procedures to restart in Scotland

A range of procedures, including the use of drills, are to be reintroduced at NHS dental practices.
Some emergency dental work was carried out during the lockdown by dentists and staff had to wear full PPE. Photo by Leon Neal/Getty ImagesSome emergency dental work was carried out during the lockdown by dentists and staff had to wear full PPE. Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images
Some emergency dental work was carried out during the lockdown by dentists and staff had to wear full PPE. Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

Phase 3 of Scotland’s lockdown recovery plan allowed the use of certain types of non-aerosol routine care, but as of Monday, August 17, aerosol generating procedures will also be authorised for the treatment of urgent dental problems.

Dental teams will be issued individually fitted protective equipment to allow them to do this work safely and effectively.

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Chief Dental Officer Tom Ferris said: “NHS patients have been able to receive care and treatment including aerosol generating procedures (AGP) through one of the 71 urgent dental care centres in Scotland.

“Now a limited range of AGP procedures will be available at NHS practices – this decision has been taken after carefully and thoroughly considering the balance between the overall risk of infection with the needs of patients to be seen by dentists.

“I am pleased that patients seeking such urgent procedures can now been seen at their NHS practice, and in turn, that practices can expand their services to patients.”

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