Despite the UK-wide shutdown, all practices should seek to maintain a basic service, that is providing telephone advice, triaging and writing prescriptions for analgesia and medication where appropriate. NHS 111 is overloaded and we have a duty to reduce pressure on the system wherever possible.
England
All dentists in England should review the advice recently published by NHS England. This includes:
- All routine, non-urgent dental care including orthodontics should be stopped and deferred until advised otherwise
- All practices should establish (independently or by collaboration with others) a remote, urgent care service, providing telephone triage for their patients with urgent needs during usual working hours, and whenever possible treating with advice, analgesia and antimicrobial means, where appropriate.
Primary Care Support England (PCSE) are also working with NHS England to support dentists. PCSE are prioritising the fulfilment and delivery of supplies and ensuring that performers are on the list and able to provide services to the NHS. Should this situation change, PCSE will update you on its website.