Can I go to the dentist during New Zealand COVID-19 Alert level: 3?
New Zealand moved to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 on Tuesday 28th April, 2020. While this brings some new comforts and services, it will likely mean very minimal change to dental service operation.
While we are waiting on specific New Zealand Dental Council recommendations, we do know the following:
- Non-essential and elective dental care will not be provided under Alert Level 3.
- Emergency dental care is still available. For the safety of our patients and staff, it is imperative that you call us first to discuss appointment options. We, along with our experienced dentists, will be able to decide the best treatment options for you.
- We are open and here for you! We have extended hours and will be contactable 7 days per week at the following locations: Tauranga (07 571 1230), Whangarei (09 438 4760), Riccarton (03 341 1122). We encourage you to contact us for dental advice and questions.
It is important that we all do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Team Dental will take appropriate measures to manage public health risks, such as using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and pre screening patients. We do however encourage patients who are over 70 years old, immunocompromised, or have other risk factors (pregnant, respiratory conditions etc), to endeavour to stay at home. If you are in pain or have a dental emergency, do not delay in contacting us.
For patients with pre-booked appointments, Team Dental currently will not be able to offer rescheduled dates. We will place patients on a waitlist and can assure you that we will contact you as soon as we are able to return to full service function. While we do not know when this may be, we hope to be able to offer our care as soon as possible. Things may continue to change over the coming weeks, we are guided by the MOH and Dental Council and will update you as we can. Patient and staff safety is imperative at a time like this, and we thank all of our team for their understanding and support.
Some helpful clarifications for patients-
Urgent care includes treatment for:
- Dental and soft-tissue infections without a systemic effect
- Severe dental and facial pain: that is, pain that cannot be controlled by the patient following self-help advice
- Fractured teeth or tooth with pulpal exposure
Dental emergencies include:
- Trauma including facial/oral laceration and/or dentoalveolar injuries, for example avulsion of a permanent tooth
- Oro-facial swelling that is significant and worsening
- Post-extraction bleeding that the patient is not able to control with local measures
- Dental conditions that have resulted in acute systemic illness or raised temperature as a result of dental infection
- Severe trismus
- Oro-dental conditions that are likely to exacerbate systemic medical conditions such as diabetes (that is lead to acute decompensation of medical conditions such as diabetes)
If you have any queries about your dental care, please contact us on the following contact numbers:
- Tauranga: 07 571 1230. Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9 – 5, Sat 10 – 4, Sunday 1 – 4pm
- Whangarei: 09 438 4760. Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9 – 5, Sat 10 – 4, Sunday 1 – 4pm
- Riccarton: 03 341 1122. Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9 – 5, Sat 10 – 4, Sunday 1 – 4pm
Be kind, and look after your loved ones,
The team dental team
