Update on advertising practice standard, negative pressure rooms, WHO reference
The Council issued an update to practitioners and stakeholders on the following matters:
1. The Advertising practice standard has been updated
ACTION REQUIRED: Please take this opportunity to read the updated Advertising practice standard and review your advertising material to ensure you comply.
2. Private dental practices that have a negative pressure room available and willing to use it to provide urgent dental treatment on COVID-19 patients
ACTION REQUIRED: Please let us know if your private practice has a negative pressure room, and is willing to treat COVID-19 positive patients, if required.
3. The World Health Organisation references New Zealand's oral health COVID-19 guidelines
FOR NOTING: No further action required.
Updated Advertising practice standard
A scheduled review of the 2013 advertising practice standard has now been completed. The updated Advertising practice standard will come into effect on 1 September 2020.
The review has resulted in some formatting changes and updated guidance content. However, as no principle changes to practitioner requirements were made, Council did not issue a consultation document for this practice standard review.
In summary, the following changes have been made:
- The updated Advertising practice standard is now consistent with the 'standards and guidance' format used in the Council's other practice standards published more recently.
- The only 'must' statements that are not reflected as standards in the updated advertising practice standard relate to ethical standards and the need for practitioners to be aware of relevant legislation. These aspects are already covered in the Standards Framework for Oral Health Practitioners.
- The introduction now places more emphasis on informed consent in the context of advertising. Similarly, no new informed consent requirements have been introduced, but some aspects are highlighted when practitioners advertise.
- New guidance has been included, primarily on testimonials and management of scientific evidence. The guidance is consistent with the Advertising Standards Authority's Advertising Standards Code and Therapeutic and Health Advertising Code.
Please familiarise yourself with the updated Advertising practice standard which comes in to effect on 1 September 2020, and take the opportunity to review your advertising material to ensure you comply.
Private dental practices that have a negative pressure room available, and willing to use it to provide urgent dental treatment on COVID-19 patients.
For those practitioners in private practice, could you let us know if you have a negative pressure room and would be willing to treat a COVID-19 positive patient. Please email us with the following details:
- Practice name
- Practice address
- Practice phone number
- Practice email.
We may share the information provided in response to requests for available private dental practices that can treat COVID-19 patients.
WHO references New Zealand's oral health COVID-19 guidelines as source of information
On 3 August 2020 the World Health Organisation has published interim guidance on Considerations for the provision of essential oral health services in the context of COVID-19.
In the guidance, the joint Ministry of Health and Dental Council New Zealand Guidelines for oral health services at COVID-19 Alert Level 2 were referenced as additional sources of information, along with resources from the General Dental Council United Kingdom, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Cochrane Oral Health Group.
This reference recognises the New Zealand's oral health sector contribution towards the country's collective effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Hopefully these information sources can support other, particularly smaller, countries in setting standards for their oral health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you have any questions or feedback after reading this update, please contact us.