France’s exit from strict confinement is scheduled for May 11. From this date, in addition to schools and other businesses, dental offices should open their doors.
The dental surgeries will open on May 11, “gradually”, confirms Oliver Véran, in a letter sent on April 20 to the President of the Order of Dental Surgeons. “We must collectively think about the modalities of a gradual exit from containment from May 11 next in order to set the conditions for a return to an activity as close as possible to normal.” And to specify that it is still necessary to clarify questions relating to the “operation of the cabinets” and the implementation of “measures of protection for dentists, their employees and of course patients.”
The pace of consultations should be reduced
L’National Order of Dental Surgeons explains on its website that it will require “specific protocols concerning the organization of the reception and care of patients, the decontamination and sterilization of equipment and premises.” In particular, the time required to decontaminate the equipment should take longer than normal, which should reduce the usual rate of consultations.
Serge Fournier, president of the National Order of Dental Surgeons, explains to the professional information site edp-dentaire.fr that today, in an on-call office, the decontamination time is around thirty minutes. “We will therefore not be able to receive more than one patient per hour.”
Lack of masks and protection for dentists and their patients
Another condition – and subject of concern for the profession – is that the opening of dental surgeries can only be done if the dental surgeon is in possession of the appropriate equipment. Patrick Solera, President of the Federation of Liberal Dental Unions (FSDL) underlines on LCI, that he no longer has protective equipment because he has been asked “all dentists to donate their equipment so that other staff in contact with infected people can treat”. “We go into battle without equipment”, he laments. “The deconfinement is in less than three weeks. But for the moment, we are in total limbo.”
“If we leave French people suffering from pathologies with dental infections, we can go to certain deaths. We are furious at not being able to resume our activity normally on #11may […] I have no more protective equipment.
@audrey_crespo. pic.twitter.com/htpbzKhAca
— Audrey & Co (@AudreyAndCoLCI) April 21, 2020
Remember that dentists are faced with splashes of saliva and blood, they ask for FFP2 masks, in sufficient quantity, but also overcoats, overshoes and charlottes to be protected.
“We dental surgeons are naked. We donated our protective equipment to our colleagues and hospitals. Mr Olivier Veran, give us back our equipment” they claim on social networks. And to be heard (or better seen), the dentists took their picture in the simplest device, in their office.
The oral health of the French worries professionals
This March 23, the president of the French Union for oral health (UFSBD) Sophie Dartevelle does not hide her concern for the lack of follow-up of patients.
“Between those who give up treatment and those who only receive temporary treatment, the situation is very unsatisfactory. We know that there is no good health without good oral health, insists with the AFP the practitioner. A concern shared by Alain Takeda, dental surgeon in Strasbourg, who observes that some patients have been waiting for treatment for a month and are only treated with drugs. “These are time bombs”, he warns.
Currently, all dental practices are closed. It is nevertheless possible to contact your usual dentist, who can be reached by phone or email, and who can advise on what to do. For example, he can transmit a prescription for an antibiotic in the event of a dental abscess or painful cavity. A national number dedicated to patients who do not have a dentist: 09 705 00 205
And also: the list of dental care considered “urgent”.
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