COVID-19 Information for the public

Introduction & Information

COVID-19 has very quickly created a new normal, disrupting day-to-day life as we have come to know it, and impacting significantly on everyone’s life through social distancing, self-isolation and the staged closure of certain non-essential services such as pubs and gyms.

Some dental practices remain open to help you meet your urgent dental needs.

While the implications of the pandemic for the Australian community continues to change on a regular basis, your dental health continues to be important and we’d encourage you to use the information on this page to manage your dental health during this unprecedented event.

If your treatment has been delayed, we ask for your patience. We're all in this together.

Frequently Asked Questions

You probably have a lot of questions, so we've put together answers to those that are asked most frequently.

Is it safe to visit the dentist?

Australian dental practitioners have the highest infection control standards in the world and the safety of their patients and their teams is a cornerstone of Australian dental practice. Dentists are now at ‘Level 1’ restrictions; this means where appropriate, dentists may take extra precautions, and if required you will be advised of these.

How can I find a dentist that will see me?

The Australian Dental Association has a list of dental practices that are safely treating patients for emergency dental treatment only. If your usual dentist is unavailable, you can find someone to help you at www.ada.org.au/find-a-dentist.

What should I expect if I do see my dentist?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, additional steps are being made to stop the spread of the virus. You might see an empty waiting room and be asked to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser as you enter the practice. Your dentist will ask you to do a mouthwash prior to treatment and may use a ‘rubber dam’ to perform any emergency treatment. All of these measures are designed to minimise any risk to you and to the practice team.

Can I be treated for a dental emergency if I have COVID-19?

If you need urgent dental care and think you may have COVID-19, it’s important to call your dentist or find a dentist near you and discuss your situation.

If you have a dental emergency and have been diagnosed with COVID-19, dental treatment is available as an in-patient or within a hospital setting by appropriately trained and credentialled dental personnel.

What should I do if I'm half way through my treatment?

If your treatment has already begun and you are schedueld to have it finshed, you should contact your dentist to discuss whether it's safe to defer the treatment. If your treatment cannot be deferred, your dentist will complete the work taking extra precautions or refer you to someone who is able to complete it.

If you are unable to contact your usual dentist, use the ADA's Find a Dentist search to locate a dental practice that is open to discuss your situation.

Useful Resources

Find a Dentist

Search for a dentist or dental specialist available to help you throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stop the spread

The official YouTube channel of the Australian Government Department of Health has video resources to help you learn how to do your part and stop the spread of Coronavirus.

COVID-19 Symptom Checker

COVID-19 symptom checker by healthdirect - a helpful online self-guided tool to help you find out if you need to seek medical help.

COVID-19 Resources

Useful resources created by the Australian Government Department of Health on topics such as self isolation, travel, parents, and those caring for family members.

COVID-19 Government Updates

Latest information from the Federal Department of Health on COVID-19 as well as local information for States and Territories.