The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is the competent health authority in Ireland in offering guidance and direction as regards the current pandemic. The IDA will be keeping members informed of the most up to date Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidance on dealing with the virus.
The Association is in regular contact with the HPSC and the HSE in regard to the Covid-19 coronavirus and has agreed to assist with the dissemination of guidance for dental practices through our well-established communications channels, in particular our e-newsletters and alerts.
Please scroll down to the bottom of this page to see recent relevant newsletters.
We also encourage members to log on to the HPSC website for regular updates and for further resources, posters and notices which can be downloaded.
Click on the topic below to see the latest information and guidance:
IDA Submission to HPSC clinical advisory group - 18 March 2020
Submission on behalf of the Cork Dental School, Dublin Dental School, Dental Council and Irish Dental Association - 19 March 2020
Supplementary IDA submission to the HPSC - 22 March 2020
COVID-19 Contingency planning for containment, delay and mitigation phases for HSE Dental and Orthodontic Services
NOHO Risk Assessment Pathway Covid-19
NOHO Intermim Protocol Environmental Cleaning
NOHO Identification of Isolation Room
Previous Guidance issued February 2020 - click here to download
The following guidance and measures are the most up to date information from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and from legal experts. For further information please click here to go to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Government supports for businesses impacted by COVID-19
Business Continuity Planning: Checklist of preparatory actions in responding to COVID-19
Income Protection
IDA letter to Minister for Finance seeking urgent assistance for dentists arising from the current Covid-19 outbreak
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and HSE have identified four key methods of prevention of Covid-19 (click here to download HSE poster: Covid-19 The Facts).
These methods are:
- Hand hygiene (See 1, 2 & 3 below)
- Cough etiquette (See 4 & 5 below)
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands
- Clean & disinfect touch surfaces (See 6 below)
Please click on and download the list of resources below that will help you and your Practice implement best practice prevention methods.
- Hand Hygiene Protocol – Developed by the IDA QPSC
- HPSC Handwashing Technique
- HPSC Alcohol Handrub Technique Poster
- HSE SOP Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette in Dental and Orthodontic clinics (Nov 2019)
- HPSC Respiratory Hygiene Posters
- Cleaning Hand Touch Surface in a Dental Practice – Developed by the IDA QPSC
Additional Infection Prevention and Control information, templates and audit tools are available to members on this website; in the members section under Advice.
Redeployment Circular
COVID-19 FAQs for the Public Health Service
Covid 19 : What to do if we are concerned - document prepared by the HSE Heads of Psychology Services
Practitioner Health Matters – confidential service or health professionals in Ireland who may have mental health issues such as stress, anxiety or burnout
Covid 19 Newsletters
March 26th 2020
March 25th 2020
March 24th 2020
March 23rd 2020
March 19th 2020
March 18th 2020
March 16th 2020
March 15th 2020
March 13th 2020
March 13th 2020 - Guidance for dentists from the Department of Health
March 12th 2020
March 9th 2020
March 6th 2020
March 2nd 2020
February 26th 2020