Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has published on the attendance of patients at dental practices during the covid-19 outbreak.

As outlined in the Government’s COVID-19 outbreak guidance all non-urgent dental procedures, surgeries and visits should be postponed. Non-emergency appointments include regular, maintenance visits such as cleanings, routine exams, x-rays, whitening, and treatment of non-painful tooth issues.

On 25 March NHS England sent updated guidance letters to all dental practices outlining this new advice. To ensure accurate information is being provided to the public we are asking that dental practices update their messaging and websites; contact their regional commissioner should practice availability hours alter as a result of staffing levels; and inform the commissioner of these changes and the arrangements for cover. Their regional commissioner will then inform the Directory of Services lead so that NHS 111 is up to date with the correct information. A copy of guidance and this letter can be found at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/issue-3-preparedness-letter-for-primary-dental-care-25-march-2020.pdf

Notification of the measured resumption of dental services was issued by NHS England on 28 May with further guidance to the profession to follow.