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 a list of areas with additional local restrictions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. It's important to check the COVID alert level of your local area, or places you are planning to visit to see what restrictions apply to you.
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 .
DTA
PRESS RELEASE: COVID-19 Vaccinations and Personal Safety
The Dental Technologist Association as of 11th January 2021 believe the following to be the current situation regarding Covid-19 vaccinations and how this related to Dental Technicians and Clinical Dental Technicians in private practice:
The Governments of the UK countries have been given guidance on the priorities for Covid-19 inoculation by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
The priority list for the different countries of the UK follows a similar pattern, the below example is taken from the government website.
- residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
- all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
- all those 75 years of age and over
- all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
- all those 65 years of age and over
- all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
- all those 60 years of age and over
- all those 55 years of age and over
- all those 50 years of age and over
The Chief Dental Officer England has confirmed that only clinical dental technicians (CDTs) registered with the CQC will be entitled to a prioritised vaccine
The DTA has highlighted to the Chief Dental Officers that CDTs and many dental technicians have direct contact with patients and that many CDTs are not in a position to register with the CQC and therefore the DTA is encouraging the Chief Dental Officers in the UK countries to include all Dental Technicians and all Clinical Dental Technicians in the planned inoculation of Dental Teams against Covid-19. Whilst it would appear that the criteria is still set by Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
It unlikely at this point in time to be of any use for individuals to make representation to the NHS or your own GP's to request that as a DT or CDT working in the private sector you should be a special case for priority inoculations for Covid-19.
It is essential that everyone follows the Government guidance regarding keeping safe from Coronavirus in its various forms.
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
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.