Access to dental care

Latest update 8 October
 

Alert Level 1

New Zealand is currently at Alert Level 1. Ministry of Health & Dental Council New Zealand Guidelines for oral health services at COVID-19 Alert Level 1 will apply. 

Patients are still required to phone ahead to book an appointment so that the appropriate safety questions can be asked.

As per the MoH & DCNZ Joint Guidelines at Alert Level 1 oral health professionals will be required to ask ALL patients the following questions before scheduling an appointment, and will be required to note the patient’s responses in their record:

COVID-19 epidemiological questions:

• Do you have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19?
• Are you waiting for a COVID-19 test or the results, or considered a probable case, or been asked to self-isolate?
• Have you had close contact* with other people in the last 14 days who are probable or confirmed to have COVID-19?

Acute respiratory infection symptoms: 

• Do you have new or worsening symptoms of an acute respiratory infection with at least one of the following: 
  - cough
  - sore throat
  - shortness of breath
  - runny nose, sneezing, post-nasal drip (coryza)
  - loss of smell (anosmia)
  with or without fever? 

Overseas travel and close contacts: 

• Have you travelled overseas in the last 14 days?
• Have you had direct contact with someone in the last 14 days who has travelled overseas?
• Do you work on an international aircraft or shipping vessel?
• Do you work or have you recently at an international airport or maritime port in areas/conveniences visited by international arrivals?
• Do you work or have you recently worked in customs, immigration, or at managed quarantine/isolation facilities?
• Are you a household member or a community contact of aircrew?