In response to the increase in respiratory infections in BC communities, the Minister of Health and the Provincial Health Officer have announced actions they are taking to prevent respiratory illness, including a requirement for health care workers, volunteers, contractors and visitors to wear medical masks in patient care areas of health authority facilities. This requirement takes effect October 3, 2023.
At this time, the mask requirement does not apply to privately owned health care facilities, such as dental clinics.
BCCOHP recommends the use of masks in common areas of private practice clinics and labs to reduce the risk of viral transmission.
Information regarding practice standards and guidance for all oral health professional types is available here.
The Ministry of Health news release about the new actions to reduce the risk of respiratory infections is available here.
About the BC College of Oral Health Professionals
BCCOHP regulates 16,000 certified dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental technicians, dentists and denturists. As a regulator, we protect the public in three main ways: by ensuring that oral health professionals are able to practise competently; by setting expectations for the delivery of safe and patient-centred oral health care; and by investigating complaints about oral health professionals.
BCCOHP respectfully acknowledges that our offices are located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish and Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, represented today by the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.