Scottish government Covid-19 inquiry: Dental profession must be better supported in a future pandemic

In its submission to the Scottish government’s inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dental Protection said that during Covid-19 the dental profession desperately needed priority PPE, support measures to mitigate potential financial viability issues due to safety protocols limiting access to dental services, and consistent guidelines.

The organisation said the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) provided well received clinical guidance at a time when dental professionals around the world sought clarity about operating procedures, and this was a positive learning for the future.

However, Dental Protection said there was an overall sense that dentistry has been “overlooked” throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and a number of lessons must be learnt should we face a further pandemic.