Japan Allows Dentists To Conduct Virus Tests
Japan's health ministry has allowed dentists to carry out coronavirus tests when physicians and other qualified health care personnel are not available.
The ministry notified local governments that they can have dentists conduct PCR tests at local coronavirus testing centers as a special measure.
Dentists, who do not have physician's licenses, are to be required to take relevant training, including that for collecting samples from patients' noses and throats, before going on duty. Patients' consent is also required.
Up to about 8,800 PCR tests were carried out per day in Japan in mid-April. The figure is about four times the number from a month earlier, and is likely to rise.
The ministry says some local governments have already asked about the approval of the scheme. Expert panels under local governments and medical associations are expected to discuss the need for the measure and how to implement it.
