Local dentists have seen some huge changes to their practice since the pandemic began.

Dental offices are only seeing emergency cases at this time, but even that process is significantly altered.

President of the province’s Dental Association, Paul Hurley says patients experiencing a dental emergency must be triaged over the phone.

That includes patients with acute pain, bleeding or infection. Only then will they see the patient in the office, and only if they aren’t experiencing any COVID-like symptoms.

In the meantime, dentists are still taking calls from the public. Hurley expects a big backlog of patients once restrictions are finally lifted.