At least 12 dental surgeries in Orange have signed up to an emergency register to ensure patients can access urgent dental treatment during the coronavirus outbreak.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Dental Emergency Directory, established by the NSW Australian Dental Association, plans to help patients and dentists access dental health care without straining hospitals and GPs.
Orange Family Dental Dr Patrick Rouke said if patients are experiencing dental issues they should immediately call their dentist to book an appointment.
"My staff is trained in how to triage dental issues," he said.
"It may mean a visit to the dentist or a simple phone conversation with either myself or one of my dentists."
He advised that if any patients are experiencing a dental emergency or a toothache that dentists will be able to treat or prescribe medication to provide pain relief.
There are precautionary practices dentists are undertaking to ensure their own health and wellbeing is taken into consideration.
"Australian dental practices have some of the highest and safest standards of infection control in the world," Dr Rouke said.
"These standards are designed to keep staff and patients safe from not only COVID-19, but other viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C.
"This combined with over-the-phone screening of our patients, temperature checking for fever and limiting our treatment to tooth aches and emergencies, mean that your visit to the dentist is very safe."
More than 1,350 dentists across NSW and the ACT are currently listed on the directory.
Practice owner of Mills McAnulty Dental Surgery Dr Sabrina Manickham said it's important for people to maintain good oral hygiene while social distancing and self isolating.
"To ensure healthy oral hygiene is practiced, people need to minimize sugar intake and to have a healthy diet whilst at home," she said.
The directory allows patients to search for local dentists to see if they have limited opening times or have temporarily closed their doors.
"I think this registry will help local people to access the care they need and to know what is going on," Dr Manickham said.
"Dental services are still a very critical part of the health care system, and we want to ensure that people are still able to get the support they need without burdening public hospitals and GPs."
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE AND DISTRICT NEWS?
Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...
