Important Message from the Provincial Dental Board of NS to All Registrants - March 16, 2020

Registrants Advisory · Posted: Mar 16 2020


The Provincial Dental Board will be issuing daily updates to Registrants to provide answers to their questions and to inform them about new developments with how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting dental practice in Nova Scotia.

Today’s update will address:

  1. The definition of a dental emergency;
  2. Time frame for the suspension; and
  3. Respecting employee’s decisions to decline to work during the pandemic.

Definition of a dental emergency

Emergency dental care is essential and is indicated for the treatment of infection, acute pain, trauma, bleeding and for necessary post operative follow up.  Treatment of patients should be assessed through the March 12, 2020 Special Bulletin released by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer: http://pdbns.ca/uploads/publications/OCMOH_Coronavirus_Bulletin_20200311.pdf

Time frame of the suspension of non-essential and elective dental treatment

All non-emergency care should be rescheduled to after Monday, March 30, 2020 unless the suspension is extended. Registrants will be provided with sufficient notice regarding an extension to the suspension.

Respecting employee’s decisions to decline to work during the pandemic

The health and safety of employees in dental offices is protected by Nova Scotia's Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. Employees cannot be compelled to work in an environment that is unsafe, meaning that staff are permitted to refuse to work in dental offices during the COVID-19 pandemic without reprimand or penalty by their employer. Reprisals against the employee by the employer could result in a grievance filed against the employer under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. Since this suspension will affect members of your office staff, we recommend that you consult with an employment lawyer for further advice.

NEXT UPDATE: MARCH 17, 2020