Dentists running out of surgical masks

A worldwide shortage of face masks because of coronavirus is prompting fears New Zealand dentists may need to close their practices if they run out.

New Zealand Dental Association chief executive Dr David Crum told it has a four to six-week supply of masks.

Dentists across the country go through about 20,000 masks every day, with current guidelines dictating masks need to be changed between patients, Crum said.

Masks, glasses and gloves are crucial to protect dentists and dental assistants from droplet spray – how Covid-19 is spread – during surgical procedures and high-speed drilling.

Covid-19, like the flu, can be spread from person to person. When a person coughs, sneezes or talks, they may spread droplets containing the virus, which settle on surrounding surfaces.

You may get infected if you touch those surfaces and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes, according to the Health Ministry.

‘‘The main concern is [dentists are able to] protect themselves’’, Crum said – something made difficult due to waning supply.

Crum said the NZ Dental Association was awaiting advice from the Dental Council on whether amendments could be made to the requirements on face masks. It was also hoping the council would advise on the continuity plans to ensure patient care ‘‘in the event of dental practices needing to temporarily close’’.

Crum said this was a concern, as he ‘‘didn’t know of any capability in the public [system] to be able to deal with that.

‘‘If we have to shut down, who treats our patients? Will they be left in pain?’’

The association was also waiting to hear from the ministry on whether dentists could access the national stockpile.

The ministry has 9 million surgical masks and 9 million respirator masks in storage as part of its pandemic planning.

Meanwhile, dentists are being urged to check whether patients had travelled to an affected country or in close contact with someone who had during the past 14 days when calling to remind them of an appointment.

The association has also sent out notices for clinic doors warning potentially impacted patients to not come inside.

There is a dire shortage of surgical masks in New Zealand and overseas, particularly for medical masks and respirators, according to the World Health Organisation.

The ministry has been approached for comment.

‘‘If we have to shut down, who treats our patients? Will they be left in pain?’’

Dr David Crum