COVID-19

COVID-19 FAQ

What if I test positive to COVID-19

All healthcare workers who test positive to COVID-19 must isolate for 7 days from the time of confirmation of a positive COVID-19 status.Many individuals may only have minimal to no symptoms during this time, but a 7 day isolation is mandatory.

After the 1 week isolation, the individual must wear a mask both indoors and outdoors for 7 days. If symptoms persist after 7 days of isolation; remain in isolation or see a medical practitioner for medical clearance.

The critical healthcare worker furloughing rules only apply to asymptomatic close contacts who are fully vaccinated.

How to avoid becoming a close contact in the workplace

As the COVID-19 cases continue to remain high in WA,workplaces will be alerted to patients who have tested positive to COVID-19soon after attending their appointment at your practice.

You will not be designated a close contact if:

As a healthcare worker you were wearing appropriate PPE (fit-tested N95/P2 mask, eye protection [goggles, safety glasses or face shields], gowns and gloves) where aerosol generating behaviours or procedures have been involved in relation to a person with COVID-19.
You have had less than 15 minutes face-to-face contact where masks* were not worn by the exposed person and the person with COVID-19,
You have spent less than two hours within a small room or classroom environment with a case during their infectious period,where masks have been removed for this period,
You are not a household member or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 who has had contact with them during their infectious period.

* A surgical mask is a minimum requirement

What do I do if I've recently recovered from COVID-19

People who have recovered from COVID-19 do not need to be tested for COVID-19 within the 12 weeks following the completion of their required isolation, including if they have symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19, are told they are a close contact, or are tested for workplace screening.

A recent case who develops symptoms associated with COVID-19 within 12 weeks should remain at home until symptoms resolve and seek advice from their healthcare provider, if required.

A recent case is not considered a close contact and does not require testing or quarantine.

Despite not being considered a close contact during the 12 week post-COVID-19 infection, it is recommended to continue to wear appropriate PPE as part of your continued risk mitigating practices in your workplace.

Further information is available in the Directions and on the HealthyWA Close contact and Quarantine and isolation pages.

Do I have to treat unvaccinated patients? If so, do we need to treat them differently?

According to AHPRA: “The National Boards expect all healthcare practitioners to facilitate access to care regardless of someone’s vaccination status.”

Practices have an obligation to provide a safe workplace. A risk-based approach to practice is required to protect patients, staff and you, the practitioner.

You must be undertaking a thorough pre-appointment COVID screening. In addition, as part of your overall risk assessment, you may wish to consider some of the following:

A tele-dentistry consultation (if applicable)
Pre-treatment rapid antigen testing
Full PPE for dentist and assistant, as per ‘High Risk of Transmission’.
Depending on the size of the practice, providing a dedicated surgery for unvaccinated patients.
Arranging dedicated appointment times for unvaccinated patients.

If all risk-based steps are insufficient and there are no other reasonable options in your practice to protect patients, staff and you, then as a last resort, politely explain your practice situation and facilitate a referral to a practice willing to treat your patient.

If you are contemplating a policy to exclude unvaccinated patients from your practice, be very aware you could be open to accusations of direct or indirect discrimination. You should seek professional legal advice or contact ADAWA before you instigate such a policy.

What do I do if a patient refuses to wear a mask?

Mask wearing is mandatory in indoor settings in Perth, Peel, South-West, Wheatbelt and the Great Southern. If a patient refuses to wear a mask:

Explain you have a responsibility to protect other patients, staff and yourself.
Offer the patient a mask.
If the mask is not accepted, assess the nature of the risk to other patients, staff and yourself.
As a compromise, you may request the patient wait outside, until the dentist is ready. When the patient enters, it would be reasonable to ensure a vacant waiting room and reception area.

After careful consideration, as a last resort, you may have to respectfully decline care, particularly in cases of adverse patient behaviour.

A patient says they have a medical exemption to wearing a mask. Can I ask to see the exemption?

You can request to view the medical exemption.

If they do have an exemption, follow all social distancing measures and all your practice’s risk prevention protocols to protect staff and other patients. You may need to politely request the patient wait outside, until the dentist is ready. When the patient enters, it would be reasonable to ensure a vacant waiting room and reception area.

Be aware, children under 12 years are also exempt.

If the patient declines your request to view their exemption certificate, politely ask them to wait outside and enter the waiting room and reception area when the dentist is ready.

After careful consideration, as a last resort, for those patients who will not cooperate with the above measures, you may have to respectfully decline care, particularly in cases of adverse patient behaviour.

Rapid antigen testing of patients

There has been no public direction across any state jurisdictions that has required asymptomatic dental patients to present COVID-negative test results prior to receiving dental care.

If a patient is displaying any known COVID symptoms and is in any way unwell, treatment should be delayed, irrespective of a negative RA test. The patient should be referred for a PCR test. Importantly, the RA Test is a supplement to your existing screening protocols, rather than a diagnostic tool.

Members are advised to seek professional legal advice or direction from ADAWA before introducing a practice policy that mandates all patients present a negative COVID test prior to seeking care.

COVID-19 Resources
for Dental Practitioners

Current advice from WA Department of Health

Release of cases from isolation

Managing the risk of COVID-19

COVID-19 Close Contacts

WA COVID-19 TTIQ (Test, Trace, Isolate and Quarantine)

WA COVID-19 Healthcare Worker Furloughing Guidelines

COVID-19 guidelines for healthcare practices in the community in a high and very high caseload environment

Infection prevention and control advice for environmental cleaning of a site following COVID-19 exposure

Recommended work permissions and restrictions for healthcare workers at high or very high caseload environments as determined by exposure risk and impact on safe service delivery.

COVID-19 FAQ

Resources

HR issues in the practice

Living with COVID-19

FURLOUGH PERIOD for VERY HIGH COVID-19 Case Load

Order 3M masks from Amare

AMA Medical Products

COVID-19 Resources for Dental Practitioners

Current advice from WA Department of Health

Release of cases from isolation

Managing the risk of COVID-19

COVID-19 Close Contacts

WA COVID-19 TTIQ (Test, Trace, Isolate and Quarantine)

WA COVID-19 Healthcare Worker Furloughing Guidelines

COVID-19 guidelines for healthcare practices in the community in a high and very high caseload environment

Infection prevention and control advice for environmental cleaning of a site following COVID-19 exposure

Recommended work permissions and restrictions for healthcare workers at high or very high caseload environments as determined by exposure risk and impact on safe service delivery.

COVID-19 FAQ

What if I test positive to COVID-19

How to avoid becoming a close contact in the workplace

What do I do if I've recently recovered from COVID-19

Do I have to treat unvaccinated patients? If so, do we need to treat them differently?

What do I do if a patient refuses to wear a mask?

A patient says they have a medical exemption to wearing a mask. Can I ask to see the exemption?

Rapid antigen testing of patients

Resources

HR issues in the practice

Living with COVID-19

FURLOUGH PERIOD for VERY HIGH COVID-19 Case Load

Order 3M masks from Amare

AMA Medical Products

COVID-19 Resources
for Dental Practitioners