Can unvaccinated rotational workers receive oral health care without waiting for 14 days after they return to Nova Scotia?

A rotational worker is a resident of Nova Scotia who has a set schedule where they alternate between living in Nova Scotia and working outside the province, such as an Alberta oil worker. Rotational workers must follow the Health Protection Act Order and the COVID-19 Rotational Worker Protocol. The protocol only applies to rotational workers who travel to work in another Canadian province or territory and to international rotational workers who are exempt from self-isolation under the federal Quarantine Act. Other rotational workers who work outside Canada and are required to isolate under the Quarantine Act must follow federal isolation and testing requirements in the Quarantine Act. They do not follow this protocol.

Unvaccinated rotational workers must fully self-isolate in a completely separate space from the rest of their household until they receive their first negative test result in Nova Scotia (see testing requirements in the rotational worker protocol). Once they receive that negative test result, this protocol, given under the authority of the Health Protection Act (HPA), gives rotational workers a modified form of 14-day self isolation. It allows some activities and imposes restrictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Unvaccinated rotational workers returning to Nova Scotia fall under two categories: 1. Returning from an area that is an outbreak zone; and 2. Returning from an area that is not an outbreak zone.

1. Unvaccinated rotational workers returning from outbreak zones (https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restrictions-and-guidance/#Working-outside-the-province)

Unvaccinated rotational workers who are returning home from outbreak zones cannot complete modified self-isolation. The updated list of outbreak zones is found at the link above.

They must self-isolate for 14 days in a completely separate space from their households, although they can share a bathroom that is cleaned between uses. If they can accomplish this, the rest of their household does not need to isolate with them.

Except for vaccination appointments and their mandatory COVID-19 testing, they cannot attend dental appointments unless there is an emergency. If they require emergency care, provide care using tele-dentistry if possible. If they require in person care, they must be treated using airborne precautions*.

2. Unvaccinated rotational Workers who are returning home from regions that are not considered outbreak zones

These rotational workers must fully self-isolate in a completely separate space from the rest of their household, until they receive their first negative test result in Nova Scotia (See testing requirements in the Rotational Worker Protocol).

Once they receive that negative test result, this protocol, given under the authority of the Health Protection Act (HPA), gives rotational workers a modified form of 14-day self isolation. It allows some activities and imposes restrictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Unvaccinated rotational workers who are following the modified self isolation protocol, and members of their household, may attend necessary (urgent and routine) dental appointments where in-person treatment is required.  They must wear a mask and they must pass the pre-screening and screening requirements. If they are feeling unwell, they must complete the COVID-19 self-assessment (https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en) or call 811 prior to booking a dental appointment.

If they are scheduled for care during the period of modified self isolation, they must be treated using airborne precautions* if they require an aerosol generating procedure (*See the FAQ that further defines airborne precautions). Once they have completed their modified self isolation period, they can be treated using droplet and contact precautions (as outlined in the PDBNS COVID-19 reopening plan for dental clinics phase 3 comprehensive care) if they pass the pre-screening and screening requirements.

Can fully vaccinated rotational workers receive oral health care without waiting for 14 days after they return to Nova Scotia?

Rotational workers who have no symptoms and have been fully vaccinated at least two weeks before arriving in Nova Scotia will no longer need to self-isolate. They must get tested on day one or two, again on day five or six, and again on day 12,13 or 14.

Fully vaccinated rotational workers may attend necessary (urgent and routine) dental appointments where in-person treatment is required.  They must wear a mask and they must pass the pre-screening and screening requirements. If they are feeling unwell, they must complete the COVID-19 self-assessment (https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en) or call 811 prior to booking a dental appointment.

If they are scheduled for care during the initial 14 days after arriving in Nova Scotia, they must be treated using airborne precautions* if they require an aerosol generating procedure (*See the FAQ that further defines airborne precautions). After this 14 day period, they can be treated using droplet and contact precautions (as outlined in the PDBNS COVID-19 reopening plan for dental clinics phase 3 comprehensive care) if they pass the pre-screening and screening requirements.

Can partially vaccinated rotational workers receive oral health care without waiting for 14 days after they return to Nova Scotia?

Partially vaccinated workers who received one dose of vaccine at least two weeks before arriving in Nova Scotia still need to self-isolate for at least seven days. These rotational workers returning to Nova Scotia fall under two categories: 1. Returning from an area that is an outbreak zone; and 2. Returning from an area that is not an outbreak zone.

1. Partially vaccinated rotational workers returning from outbreak zones (https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restrictions-and-guidance/#Working-outside-the-province)

If they are coming from an outbreak site, they must isolate completely until they get their second negative test result and then they can stop isolating after day seven if they are asymptomatic. During this period of time, they cannot attend dental appointments unless there is an emergency. If they require emergency care, provide care using tele-dentistry if possible. If they require in person care, they must be treated using airborne precautions*.

If they are scheduled for care after their 7 day self isolation period (and have received their second negative test) but before day 14 after having returned to Nova Scotia, they must be treated using airborne precautions* if they require an aerosol generating procedure (*See the FAQ that further defines airborne precautions). After 14 days they can be treated using droplet and contact precautions (as outlined in the DLBNS COVID-19 reopening plan for dental clinics phase 3 comprehensive care) if they pass the pre-screening and screening requirements.

2. Partially vaccinated rotational Workers who are returning home from regions that are not considered outbreak zones

These rotational workers must fully self-isolate in a completely separate space from the rest of their household, until they receive their first negative test result in Nova Scotia (See testing requirements in the Rotational Worker Protocol). During this period of time, they cannot attend dental appointments unless there is an emergency. If they require emergency care, provide care using tele-dentistry if possible. If they require in person care, they must be treated using airborne precautions*.

Once they receive their first negative test result, they can switch to a modified form of self isolation. It allows some activities and imposes restrictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. During this period of time, they must be treated using airborne precautions* if they require an aerosol generating procedure (*See the FAQ that further defines airborne precautions).

After their second negative test result, they can stop isolating after day seven. If they are scheduled for care after their 7 day self isolation period (and have received their second negative test) but before day 14 after having returned to Nova Scotia, they must be treated using airborne precautions* if they require an aerosol generating procedure (*See the FAQ that further defines airborne precautions). After 14 days they can be treated using droplet and contact precautions (as outlined in the DLBNS COVID-19 reopening plan for denture clinics phase 3 comprehensive care) if they pass the pre-screening and screening requirements.