CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C) has announced all non-emergency dental treatment and services have been suspended in the province in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a release, it says dentists may provide emergency treatments only, including treatment of oral-facial trauma, major infection, prolonged bleeding, or unmanageable pain.

Dentists have started contacting patients to let them know of the new regulations in place.

Pre-screening of possible patients will determine whether or not their cases fall under the emergency treatment category and risks of possible contamination will be taken in to consideration says Dr. Randall Croutze, CEO of the ADA&C.

“Dentists in Alberta have a duty to prevent exposure to (…) infection from COVID-19,” he says.

If the risk of contamination is too great, the treatment must be postponed.

There’s no indication as to when dental offices will reopen for non-emergency treatments.