COVID-19 Response
View our advocacy timeline to see how we’ve represented and supported members through the pandemic.
ADA and ADAVB advocacy and action timeline
August–September 2020 (Victoria)
- Maintained contact with the Victorian Chief Health Officer, Health Minister, DHHS and other relevant organisations.
- Successfully advocated for earliest possible easing of dental restrictions in line with Victoria’s roadmap to reopening.
- Advocated for the Victorian 2020 Grand Final Eve/Thank You public holiday to be cancelled due to ongoing impacts on small businesses.
- Approached Business Victoria, relevant ministers and the Victorian Ombudsman regarding dental practices’ issues with the first Business Support Fund, and supported members to lodge complaints.
- Conducted surveys to understand the financial impact on private dental practices and used the data to support advocacy activities.
- Kept members informed with regular updates.
- Provided ongoing support for members.
June–July 2020 (Victoria)
- Continued monitoring of COVID-19 case trends across the state.
- Maintained contact with the Victorian Chief Health Officer.
- Attended briefings with the Victorian Health Minister.
- Provided updates and recommendations to members as soon as information becomes available.
- Conducted surveys to understand the financial impact on private dental practices and used the data to support advocacy activities.
- Invited members, on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services, to be part of the COVID-19 response.
April–May 2020
- Continued to work with suppliers and the government to source PPE.
- Developed and held return to practice and other COVID-10 related webinars.
- Successfully advocated for a return to level 2 dental restrictions, 27 April. Most elective surgery resumed.
- Successfully advocated for dental practices to receive Victorian funding for small businesses.
- Successfully advocated for a return to level 1 dental restrictions, 09 May. Some Victorian activity restrictions eased.
- Membership renewal fees were deferred to 1 October.
March 2020
- A dental restriction framework, created by the ADA and endorsed by the AHPPC, helped avoid a complete closure of dental practices.
- COVID-19 resources were created.
- Regular webinars were held.
- Secured a limited supply of masks from the national government stockpile.
January–February 2020
- Member advisory services were expanded.
- Began working with suppliers and government to secure mask supply.
- Established contact with the AHPPC to ensure dental representation.
- The AHPPC identified aerosol generating dental procedures as high risk for COVID-19 transmission.
- Ran a media campaign to access masks from the national government stockpile.
Further information
Click here for updates, information and resources about COVID-19.