Information on COVID-19

As of July 19, 2023 the College’s COVID-19 specific guidance for in person care has been rescinded (see the message to the membership).

While this is an important step to reduce the burden of additional precautions on dental practices, it does not mean that dentists no longer have Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) responsibilities with respect to COVID-19. These ongoing responsibilities can broadly be categorized as follows:

Responsibilities that are based in routine practices and the College’s Standard of Practice on Infection Prevention and Control in the Dental Office
Responsibilities that are based in the ongoing COVID-19 guidance of provincial and national public health authorities.

What has changed

To download a PDF copy of the chart below click here.

You will find the following acronyms throughout this chart:

AGP: Aerosol Generating Procedure
AIIR: Airborne Infection Isolation Room
IPAC: Infection Prevention and Control
PHO: Public Health Ontario
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
RCDSO: Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario

Topic	Updated requirements	Source document	Former requirements
Patient screening	Patients are to be screened for signs and symptoms of infectious disease (including, but not limited to, COVID-19) Dentists can determine preferred screening protocol Results of active screening and any positive screening results are to be recorded in the patient's record	RCDSO Standard on Infection Prevention and Control, 2018 PHO: Summary of Infection Prevention and Control Key Principles for Clinical Office Practice	Rescinded Patients must be screened using the Ministry's COVID-19 screening protocol
Signage	Signage is to be posted requesting that individuals who are ill or experiencing symptoms of any illness identify themselves to the receptionist (not specific to COVID-19)	RCDSO Standard on Infection Prevention and Control, 2018 PHO: Summary of Infection Prevention and Control Key Principles for Clinical Office Practice	Rescinded Post signage in common areas outlining office policies for patients and visitors related to COVID-19
PPE requirements for reception / screening	Reception (not involved in preliminary screening): No PPE requirements¹		Rescinded Minimum ASTM level 1 procedure mask Physical barrier recommended
PPE requirements for reception / screening	For staff performing preliminary screening (with or without direct patient contact) the following precautions are recommended: Remain behind a barrier; or, Maintain a distance of at least 2 m from the individual being screened; or, Wear a medical mask (minimum ASTM level 1), gown, gloves and eye protection.	PHO: IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID‑19 (Oct 2022)	Rescinded Minimum ASTM level 1 procedure mask Physical barrier recommended
Patient masking	Patients who screen / test negative for COVID-19 are not required to wear a mask		No change
PPE requirements for the treatment of patients who screen / test negative for COVID-19	Routine practices	RCDSO Standard on Infection Prevention and Control, 2018	Rescinded Non-AGP: ASTM level 2 or 3 procedure/surgical mask Gloves Eye protection: goggles or face shield Isolation gown (optional) AGP: N95 respirator (fit-tested, seal-checked), or the equivalent, as approved by Health Canada Gloves Eye protection: goggles or face shield Isolation gown
Treatment of patients who screen / test positive for COVID-19	Recommend deferring care unless urgent or emergent	RCDSO Standard on Infection Prevention and Control, 2018	No change
PPE recommendations for the treatment of patients who screen / test positive for COVID-19	Upon arrival: Provide medical mask if tolerated and not contraindicated Maintain 2m distance Place patient in room with door closed, where possible	PHO: IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID‑19 (Oct 2022)	Rescinded Patient must don a mask No change Place patient in room with door closed, where possible
	For all in-person care, including AGPs: fit-tested, seal-checked N95 (or equivalent), eye protection, gown, and gloves	PHO: IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID‑19 (Oct 2022)	No change
Use of gowns	Patients who screen / test negative for COVID-19: Routine practices	RCDSO Standard on Infection Prevention and Control, 2018	Rescinded Non-AGP: Isolation gown (optional) AGP: Isolation gown required
Use of gowns	Patients who screen / test positive for COVID-19: Isolation gown recommended for in-person care	PHO: IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID‑19 (Oct 2022)	Rescinded Isolation gowns required.
AGPs for COVID-positive patients	None		Rescinded: Avoid AGPs Use the lowest aerosol-generating options AGPs must be performed in an enclosed operatory Use rubber dam with high-volume suction
Enclosed operatories	No longer required. PHO recommends the following for COVID-19 positive patients: patients with suspect or confirmed COVID-19 be cared for in a single room, whenever possible; an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) or a single room with the door closed be used for AGMPs involving patients who are suspect of confirmed Covid-19 positive.	PHO: IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID‑19 (Oct 2022)	No change

Masks recommended if within 2m of a patient who has screened or tested positive for COVID-19