The ADA has challenged a decision by the Western Australian Government to keep dental care in the state's Perth and Peel regions under Level 3 restrictions, with all non-urgent dental treatment postponed.
Dr Andy Robertson, WA Chief Health Officer, has confirmed that the dental sector in the affected regions will remain under Level 3 restrictions until 12:01am, Saturday 1 May 2021 (pending announcement of further advice).
ADAWA have questioned the rationale behind this decision, writing to Dr Robertson to challenge the appropriateness of the restrictions and formally requesting that they be reduced.
In doing so, they have emphasised the continuing high standards of infection control displayed by the dental profession with ADAWA President Dr Sean Archibald and CEO Dr David Hallett noting that "the dental profession has always operated with exceptionally high standards of infection control [with the] profession … at the forefront of formulating, adopting and adhering to the strict high quality standard protocols introduced throughout the COVID-19 crisis."
The letter points to the inconsistencies between the level of risk between dentistry and a sector such as hospitality, which faces no such restrictions despite representing, says ADAWA, "a greater risk to the public of WA than the provision of oral health care".
As the situation continues to evolve, ADAWA will continue to advocate on behalf of our members and the ADA will continue to update on any developments.
