GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE
Coronavirus rules vary depending on whether you live in England , Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. You can find the links to the NHS and other government websites across the four nations with the latest guidance and advice on the GDC website. The government website has useful guidance for living safely with respiratory infections, including coronavirus (COVID-19).
If your business is affected by Coronavirus you can watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus on the government website .
It is essential that everyone follows the Government guidance regarding keeping safe from Coronavirus in its various forms.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination information for public health professionals. The green book chapter 14 a contains information on: the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines; the dosage and schedule for the UK; recommendations for the use of the vaccine
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) VACCINATIONS
Who can get a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
Everyone aged 5 and over can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
All adults aged 18 or over can now get vaccinated against COVID-19. You do not need to wait to be contacted by the NHS.
How to get your COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccinations: a guide for all women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding
The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines available in the UK have been shown to be effective and to have a good safety profile. These vaccines do not contain live coronavirus and cannot infect a pregnant woman or her unborn baby in the womb.
The government strongly recommend that all pregnant and breastfeeding women have the Covid-19 vaccinations, please read the government guide for further information.
GDC Covid-19 vaccination guidance
Information for Dental Professionals can be found on the GDC website.
KEY WORKER STATUS
DENTAL TECHNOLOGISTS
The DTA have previously received confirmation from the CDO England, GDC and BDA that dental technicians and CDTs are members of the dental team and considered as key workers in England.
SAFE WORKING - PPE
Public Health England have released a visual guide to safe PPE for safe working during COVID-19.
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after patient contact and after removing some or all of your PPE.
- Clean all the equipment that you are using according to local policies
- Use the appropriate PPE for the situation you are working in (General / AGPs or High risk areas)
- Take off your PPE safely
- Take breaks and hydrate yourself regularly
Read the DTA guide on PPE.
CORONAVIRUS - KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WORKING AND LIVING SAFELY
Public Health England have produced a helpful guidance poster which can be downloaded here
NHS National infection prevention and control documents offer guidance on infection control for NHS healthcare staff of all disciplines in all care settings.
DTA WORK
COVID-19
The DTA are working collectively with the Office of the Chief Dental Officer England, Faculty of Dental Surgeons Royal College of Surgeons England, Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK), General Dental Association, British Dental Association and other groups to support the desire to see the reopening of dental practices for face-to-face care in England. The group are actively seeking to achieve this at the earliest safe opportunity. The benefits to patients and the wider community of receiving oral health care from a trusted well regulated and responsible profession are recognised and are intrinsic to the discussions about the graduated expansion of service delivery.
The DTA has also input into the workforce planning discussions for all four nations and in addition had the opportunity to review and input on the a high-level paper describing the phases for Scotland. We are in continued liaisons with other groups and we are raising the concerns of our membership at any opportunity.
DTA
PRESS RELEASE: URGING ALL DENTAL PROFESSIONALS TO SUPPORT UK DENTAL TECHNOLOGISTS
The DTA has issued a press release urging all dental professionals and communities to support their local, UK Dental Technologists. The statement has been distributed to the Chief Dental officers of the four nations, the General Dental Council (GDC), British Dental Association (BDA), dental groups, associations and other stakeholders, voicing growing concerns amongst our membership and the key issues facing dental technology.
Due to a lack of government support we fear that the UK will lose many highly skilled dental technologists, the supply chain to the dental clinic will be greatly affected and, inevitably, patients will suffer from long delays in receiving their custom-made dental appliance. We hope to gain support for our profession before it's too late.
SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES
The government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal as possible, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS. The message is to stay alert, control the virus, and, in doing so, save lives.
This guidance applies in England - people in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland should follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.