Health board has re-introduced use of crucial dental tools in Lanarkshire surgeries

Since June 22, 2020, dentists have be able to see patients for some limited routine care -instead of going to a specialist hub.

Now, on the chief dental officer’s instruction, there has been reintroduction of Aerosol Generating Procedures today (Monday)

Now practices will be able to use their high speed drills and the air and water gun That means, with enhanced PPE, dentists will be able to deliver additional treatments to their patients.

NHS Lanarkshire’s Clinical Director, General Dental Services, Laura Milby, said: “Practices are still only allowed to undertake AGPs to provide urgent dental care, and because of the additional decontamination requirements associated with undertaking AGPs, only a very small number of patients will be able to be treated in this way,”

“Not all dental practices will be offering AGPs initially and it will be a gradual process of reintroduction.

However, dentists are currently not able to provide routine examinations, ultrasonic scale and polish, crowns, veneers or routine fillings.

With the reintroduction of AGPs, dentists will be able to use the high speed drill to access teeth, but only to relieve pain or swelling.

They will continue to provide a number of other treatments including extractions, dressings of broken teeth and repairs to dentures.