Ministry of Social Affairs and Health gives practical guidance on preparedness of oral healthcare clinics during the coronavirus outbreak
On 13 March, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health issued practical instructions to oral healthcare providers on how to prepare for the coronavirus outbreak in their clinic activities.
Each oral healthcare clinic must have their own guidance on how to respond to the coronavirus outbreak at each spreading stage of the disease. In addition, it is possible to agree regionally on the provision of necessary dental care for patients with coronavirus disease, COVID-19.
In oral healthcare clinics, it is important to act in such a way that clients are not exposed to infections. The occupational safety of staff must be ensured at the clinics even when treating patients with coronavirus disease.
Oral healthcare units are advised, for example, to inform patients that the patients need to cancel their non-urgent dental care appointments if they experience flu symptoms or have been in close contact with a person infected with coronavirus for at least 15 minutes.
The practical guidance is based, where appropriate, on the oral healthcare instructions of the City of Helsinki. Each oral healthcare provider adds information about their own organisation to the instructions.
Inquiries:
Merja Auero, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 29516 330