Latest information on:
- COVID-19 vaccination booster advice
- ​Changes to PCR access in NSW
- Where to get PCR testing in the ACT
- Managing COVID-19
- Healthcare workers returning to work after COVID-19
- Testing positive to COVID-19 in the ACT
- Pre-treatment screening
Click on the above topics to find your area of interest.
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Updated Thursday 20 April 2023
COVID-19 Vaccination Booster Advice
The Public Health (COVID-19 Vaccination of Health Care Workers) Order 2022, which required the mandatory vaccination of health care workers, ceased at the end of 19 June 2022.
As boosters help to protect against serious illness from COVID-19. People over 18 may be recommended to get an additional booster.
See the ATAGI 2023 Covid-19 vaccination booster advice here and to find out where and how to get your COVID-19 vaccination click here.
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Changes to PCR access in NSW
From Saturday 13 May 2023, a pathology referral from a medical or nurse practitioner will be required to get a PCR test for COVID-19 in NSW.
PCR tests are recommended for those who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
When a general practitioner (GP) referral is required for a private testing clinic, please check with your GP as GP charges may apply.
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Where to get PCR testing in the ACT
PCR testing should occur for those who have been recommended by a health professional to get one.
Unless a person has a concession card, they will need a pathology request form from a primary care provider to get a PCR test. Testing can occur at pathology collection centres across Canberra.
For more information on where to get tested in the ACT, click here.
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Managing COVID-19
For the latest information on what to do if you test positive to COVID-19, click here.
Although there is no longer a requirement to self-isolate, NSW Health are encouraging the community to continue to stay home if they have cold or flu-like symptoms and get tested.
Pre-treatment screening of patients for relevant communicable diseases is a key component of infection prevention and control. The Dental Board of Australia’s infection prevention and control Fact Sheet and Self-Reflective tool provide good guidance for practitioners to practise in a way that maintains and enhances public health. Read more.
ADA NSW encourages practitioners to revisit their own HR policies for the management of staff who are unwell to reduce the risk of transmission of infection in the workplace.
The ACT is generally aligned to the NSW approach. For current ACT guidance, click here.
Members seeking advice regarding employment or HR matters can contact ADA HR on 1300 232 462 or email hrhotline@ada.org.au. Please quote your ADA Federal membership number.
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Healthcare workers returning to work after testing positive to COVID-19 in NSW
While the requirement to self-isolate ended last year, practitioners can still consider existing resources to support decision making for when healthcare workers, including dental assistants, can safely return to work.
The Clinical Excellence Commission developed COVID-19 guidance to support the management of health worker exposures.
Some of this guidance could be useful for practitioners when considering a framework for managing health workers returning to work after COVID-19.
Click here to access COVID-19: Managing Health Worker Exposures and Return to Work in a Healthcare Setting V1.3. (Updated 21 February 2023)
Ph:02 8436 9927 or practiceservices@adansw.com.au
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Testing positive to COVID-19 in the ACT
As with NSW, the requirement to self-isolate in the ACT has ended. Practitioners can still consider appropriate resources to support decision making for when healthcare workers, including dental assistants, can safely return to work.
ACT Health have tools available to support the assessment of COVID-19 exposures and return to work advice. These tools can be accessed here.
ADA NSW members are welcome to contact the Practice Services Team to access support to use these tools and resources.
Ph:02 8436 9927 or practiceservices@adansw.com.au
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Pre-treatment screening
Pre-treatment screening of patients for relevant communicable diseases is a key component of infection prevention and control. Consider determining a protocol for how you identify patients that could need transmission-based precautions and how decision making for patient care would be escalated. This could also include delaying patient care where appropriate.
The Dental Board of Australia’s infection prevention and control Fact Sheet and Self-Reflective tool provide good guidance for practitioners to practise in a way that maintains and enhances public health. Read more.
The ADA NSW Practice Services team can support members that are developing protocols and procedures for pre-treatment patient screening for relevant transmissible infections and the management of risk to others.
Additional resources that could be helpful include the National Health Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare. Page 259 describes the type and duration of precautions for specific infections and conditions here.
The NSW Health website has infectious disease statistics and notifications information here.
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Please call or email the Practice Services team if you need help
Ph:02 8436 9927 or practiceservices@adansw.com.au