During a questions-without-notice session in yesterday’s States sitting, Deputy Inna Gardiner asked when dental practices might open for business again and when protocols would be shared with the industry to allow this to take place.
Health Minister Richard Renouf said that the government was aiming for both to happen within a week.
‘It is our intention that Island dental practices should be able to reopen from Monday 1 June,’ he said.
‘The public health team is currently working with the dental association to develop guidance which will support the safe practice of surgeries and that will be ready by the end of this week, should they wish to reopen on Monday.’
Deputy David Johnson asked the minister if there were any ‘unqualified commitments’ or ‘procedures outstanding’ that could prevent this from happening.
In response, Deputy Renouf said: ‘As I told Deputy Gardiner, guidance is being worked on at the moment with the Jersey Dental Association.
‘We intend to have that guidance ready by the end of the week. I think that enables private dental practices to reopen from Monday.
‘Whether they choose to do so on Monday, it will be for each practice to make that decision.’
