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patient with questionable status or if it is to prevent transmission in a high risk area or situation then you must wear one and change it after each patient. 5. If you are pregnant or have other health conditions then talk with your GP or specialist. We do not know enough about the behaviour of the virus to make a generalised statement. 6. We are unable to give absolutes at this time regarding precise transmission and how the virus is behaving, and it is ill-advised for anyone to make blanket statements. Keep communication open with your dentist/ADA and keep watching for changes from the Department of Health in your state or territory. 7. What we do know is that if we follow infection control protocols as a guiding principle – wash your hands, don’t touch any surface, your face etc., or other people if you have coughed, sneezed, been to the toilet or you are feeling unwell! Follow all of the things that we know about best practice; this will minimise harm and reduce risks. 8. Most importantly – we should adhere to good infection control standards at all times! Guidelines and regulations – These regulations are set down by the Regulator and not by the associations. To contravene these regulations is an offence and can incur a fine and can have serious consequences for the practitioner. The regulations are there to protect us all – the dental practitioner, the staff at the practice and the public, our patients, our family and our friends. Keep safe and continue to learn, grow as a clinician and a caring confident human being. I may be contacted via email – margie. steffens@adelaide.edu.au or via the DHAA and our CEO Bill Suen should you have any further concerns or queries. n
The road Bulletin Editor Robyn Russell takes a personal view of what it means to be a truly independent practitioner
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HAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US ALL? I have been talking quite extensively with many of my dental colleagues these last few months, and a lot of the banter has been around 'independence'. The main discussion has been, “So, what does this change in status to independent practitioner actually mean?’ A few clinicians may feel that this change in status is a great opportunity to move forward and open their own dental clinic and practice as a solo practitioner, or even a group practice. True, this may be appealing for a few. Although I would argue that the vast majority of practitioners would find that owning and operating a dental clinic – at the same time as conforming to the standards of practice accreditation, managing risk, surviving competition, and finding financial support and backing – a serious challenge to ensure a real return on their investment. I realise that for many other clinicians, the change in the Dental Boards wording around independent practice may be insignificant, or a concept you may not have even thought about. Many will probably be working in the same surgery and performing similar dental procedures in much the same way as they always have. Many practitioners also feel that without the provision of provider numbers, the idea of true independence is a remote
