As a result of an increase in COVID-19 cases over the past week, the Victorian Government has imposed new restrictions which came into effect from 11:59pm (27 May 2021) across all of Victoria. The Government has indicated that this lockdown will extend for seven days until 11:59pm Thursday 3 June.

The Government has indicated that dental practitioners are authorised health service providers, and are permitted to undertake procedures and surgical treatment in the management of patients with urgent needs that include:

  • Facial swelling

  • Intra-oral swelling

  • Facial trauma

  • Dental trauma

  • Significant/constant/uncontrollable pain.

All non-urgent care must be deferred.  

What measures are we taking to ensure patient and staff safety?

• The front desk staff record the triage information collected from patients, over the phone and when patients attend the clinic

• Patients are screened for travel and signs and symptoms of infection when they attend the clinic and their medical records are updated accordingly

• We clean and disinfect public areas frequently, including door handles, chairs and bathrooms

• Reading materials and toys have been removed from waiting areas

• We use personal protective equipment in the clinic as appropriate for procedures being performed and ensure the autoclaving of hand-pieces after each patient

• Plastic protective face shields, in addition to masks, are being used, when appropriate, to decrease possible exposure to infectious agents

• We are asking, where possible, that only the patient with the routine appointment enters the clinical area, leaving all family, friends and guardians in the waiting room or car. Patients can also wait outside the clinic or in their vehicle prior to their scheduled appointment

• We have placed a number of hand sanitizers around our clinic, and we ask that you all use these when entering the waiting room, clinical areas and when leaving the practice

Our number one priority is to ensure the health and safety of our patients, staff and clinicians. We appreciate your understanding in these challenging times.