14 July 2020
During June 2020 a targeted initiative was undertaken to review the management of the risks posed by COVID-19 within the dental sector. This took into account the legal obligations imposed by the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 (HSW Law) and specific Government of Jersey guidance for reopening for routine dental care at Level 2 of the Safe Exit Framework.
Safer Exit framework guidance for businesses
Dentists and dental surgery guidance
The initiative
To help assess compliance with Government of Jersey guidance, and minimum standards of health and safety of employees, patients and others required by the HSW Law, 15 different dental practices were contacted. They were asked to provide a copy of their bespoke COVID-19 plan setting out their strategy to managing the risks of COVID-19 infection and, where aerosol generating procedures were being undertaken, a copy of valid face-fit certification for the specific respiratory protective face masks (RPE) being worn.
To help ensure a representative cross section of practices were included in the initiative a proportionate percentage of members and non-members of the Jersey Dental Association were contacted.
Findings
Of 15 dental practices contacted:
- 11 were able to produce a bespoke COVID-19 plan, tailored to their practice operations
- 1 initially produced a generic plan based on Government of Jersey guidance, but immediately updated this to reflect the specific arrangements within the practice
- 12 were able to produce valid face fit certification for all staff involved with aerosol-generating procedures
- 3 advised that they had taken the decision not to open as they were not yet in a position to comply with current Government of Jersey guidance
- 2 practices were closed and it was not possible to elicit any information
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
A significant number of dental practices were found to be using designated KN95 face masks as RPE, rather than N95, FFP2 or FFP3 standard RPE as set out in Governemnt of Jersey guidance.
In view of the Safety Alert issued by the UK Health and Safety Executive regarding poor quality KN95 face masks, a range of KN95s being used by dentists, as well a number found to be on sale locally, were evaluated by the HSI. All failed to be able to demonstrate compliance with the relevant Standards for such RPE and had to be withdrawn from use.
As a result, a warning was published on the Health and Safety inspectorate website
PPE: Concern over poor quality KN95 face masks. A letter was also sent to all known dental practices.
Letter to dentists regarding KN95 face masks.
Further information
Government of Jersey community dental service guidance is available at
dentists and dental surgery guidance
The above guidance is required in addition to the Government of Jersey general advice for all businesses and workplaces during COVID-19
gov.je