Still No Date For Dentists To Reopen

With many islanders suffering from intolerable toothache, it's still not known when dental surgeries will be able to treat patients again.

The Jersey Dental Association says it's continuing to work strenuously with the government to make sure practices can reopen as soon as they can.

It follows rumours of discontent among some dentists at not being allowed to return to the workplace to offer services to desperate patients who’re suffering in pain.

Channel 103 understands that some dentists are growing impatient at waiting for government advice so they can practice again, as many islanders have been dealing with severe toothache.

The Economic Development Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, said this time last week that dentists will be among the next group of industries allowed to operate again, but there's no indication on when that could be:

"I know that many businesses will not fall into these categories and may feel frustrated that they cannot open just yet. These include Dental surgeries, the Hair and Beauty, and Health and Fitness sectors and smaller non-essential retail premises.

Senators Ian Gorst and Lyndon Farnham at a government media briefing.

"I want to reassure them all that we will allow further businesses to open just as soon as safely possible but, as we progress through the levels of the Safe Exit Framework, it is essential that we continue to base our decisions on sound medical advice that states when it is safe and proportionate to do so."

Jersey's government says it's continuing to work with the Jersey Dental Association to ensure practices can re-open 'as soon as possible'.

Currently, dentists can only offer phone advice and emergency work at the General Hospital as a last resort.

JDA Vice President, Stuart Burgher, says the association is working 'strenuously' with the government to get surgeries re-opened and able to see patients again.