7
FROM THE TOP
Employing our professional judgement
Bill Suen DHAA CEO
We all need to mindful of our own welfare, and that of our patients, during these challenging times THE ENVIABLE COVID-free environment that most of Australia had enjoyed came to an abrupt end with the highly-contagious Delta variant outbreaks that have emerged across the country over recent weeks. During the early part of the pandemic, non-urgent dental treatments were invariably suspended to minimise the chance of Covid-19 transmission. However, it is becoming apparent that delaying the public
“ It's time for us to rise to the occasion and act in the best interest of the patients we serve and be proud to act as independent practitioners.”
from seeking less urgent treatments may be problematic, leading to a significant increase
can be (and should be) deferred, it may
in preventable medical and dental conditions
be ‘essential’ for those who have more
down the track. Furthermore, closing or
complex oral and systemic diseases,
patients without appropriate clinical
restricting private dental clinics during a
where treatment deferral may put them
considerations is unprofessional and
lockdown will put additional pressure on
at unacceptable risk. Refusal to provide
irresponsible during a lockdown. And,
emergency public dental services that are
essential treatments in some cases may be
AHPRA would expect each individual
already stretched. As a result, some state
regarded just as unprofessional as seeing
practitioner to make the appropriate call
health authorities are now allowing dental
patients requiring non-essential treatment.
for their own patients.
practices to operate under lockdown, and
Each case is different and the factors
Practitioners who coerce others to act
asking dental practitioners to exercise their
to be considered are often multi-faceted
unprofessionally are notifiable to the Dental
professional judgement to determine if the
and complex. It is both impossible and
Board/Council. Management who coerce
treatment is appropriate and essential for
inappropriate for authorities and peak
employees to practice in a way that is
the best interest of the patients. Practitioners
bodies to list the treatments that can, or
unsafe for the staff and/or the public could
are asked to take a risk-based approach to
cannot, be provided during lockdowns.
be prosecuted under state work-safe and
balance the risk of treatment delays with the
All independent practitioners, dental
treat or to defer on their dental record. Making blanket decisions to treat all
commonwealth fair-work legislations.
likelihood of transmission and the need for
hygienists, oral health therapists and
It's time for us to rise to the occasion,
movement restrictions.
dental therapists should review each
to exercise our professional judgement
patient on a case-by-case basis. Given
in accordance with the AHPRA code of
to ascertain if practitioner judgement is
that pre-screening is a requirement, we
conduct, to make decisions and to act
required or allowed. This may change due
should consider each patient’s situation
in the best interest of the patients we
to varying circumstances.
prior to confirming the appointment, and
serve. Be proud to act as independent
document the rationale of the decision to
practitioners. n
Practitioners must check lockdown orders
While routine dental hygiene work
