From April 27, 2020, dental practices in Lausanne and throughout Switzerland will once again be able to welcome patients. This is what the Swiss Society of Dentists SSO in its press release dated April 21, 2020. The extraordinary situation brought about by COVID-19 had resulted in the restriction of dental treatment in Switzerland. It began on March 13, 2020, following a decision by the Swiss Federal Council. As a result, hospitals, clinics, medical and dental practices could no longer perform non-urgent procedures or treatments. Find out more about the new measures concerning dental care facilities in Switzerland.
The resumption of dental activities in Switzerland
On April 16, 2020, the Swiss Federal Council has clarified the issue of limiting non-urgent medical examinations and treatments. The national ban was lifted on April 27. This decision is part of the gradual relaxation of measures relating to the coronavirus epidemic.
Naturally, the Federal Council stresses that all medical activities must be carried out in strict compliance with coronavirus protection measures. Please consult theOrdinance 2 COVID-19 on the relaxation of healthcare measures.
Dental practices, centers and clinics can now resume their normal activities. Patients have access to all oral care services, whether for check-ups or treatment. So you can make an appointment with your dentist in Fribourg to have your teeth scaled. You can also consult an orthodontist in Lausanne or have your teeth whitened in Aigle.
Following this decision, Olivier Marmy, member of the SSO Central Committee, declared: "Preserving oral health is important, as is maintaining general health. After six weeks of a restriction ordered by the Federal Council which allowed only emergency care, it was high time that the population of this country could once again be monitored and treated according to their needs, in order to prevent any deterioration in their oral condition." (Source: SSO press release)
Oral treatments during the COVID-19 period
However, the Swiss Federal Council points out that the gradual relaxation of measures against the coronavirus is accompanied by protection plans. These are to be applied in each sector, in agreement with the recommendations of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
As far as dental practices are concerned, two institutions have drawn up concrete protection plans. These are the Swiss Society of Dentists (SSO) and the Association of Cantonal Dentists of Switzerland (AMDCS). The aim is to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission for healthcare professionals and patients alike.
Since droplets are the main mode of contamination, the way dental practices are greeted is changing. Similarly, hygiene measures and care protocols are being reinforced.
Changes in patient care
Here's what patients need to know before visiting a dental clinic in Lausanne or elsewhere:
- Healthcare professionals carry out a thorough telephone triage and history-taking.
- You can be given a protective mask to wear in the dental office.
- On arrival, you enter the treatment room immediately.
- You must wash or disinfect your hands before starting oral treatment.
- You may need to gargle with a potentially virucidal solution.
- The healthcare professional has the right to measure your temperature. If it exceeds 37.5°, he or she will postpone treatment and send you home.
- The waiting room should only be used in exceptional circumstances. In such cases, waiting time should be limited to 15 minutes. You must maintain a safety distance of at least 2 meters.
- It is forbidden to provide care in rooms without windows or automatic ventilation. After each patient, the room is ventilated and disinfected for at least 15 minutes.
- The dentist or dental hygienist must wear appropriate protective equipment (mask, gloves and goggles).
- The firm's team will keep the use of aerosol-generating techniques to a minimum.
- The practitioner performs scaling using manual instruments only.
Vulnerable patients or those infected with COVID-19 benefit from special measures. Feel free to consult the complete summary document published by AMDCS and SSO. Here you'll find detailed guidelines for running a dental practice during the coronavirus pandemic.
HELVIDENT dental practices face COVID-19
HELVIDENT is committed to protecting the health of its patients and team members. The dental practices in Fribourg, Lausanne and Aigle welcome you from April 27, 2020. We invite you to make an appointment by telephone.
