> COVID-19 Responses
Dentists and their staffs take precaution before heading back to work The era of COVID-19 is unprecedented, from office closures to reopenings, and protection from the virus.
The COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on our daily lives is rapidly evolving. As dentists and their staff entertain going back to work after states reopen, they have been identified as a high-risk job for potentially contracting the novel coronavirus. In that realm, the American Dental Association (ADA) has provided mask and face shield guidelines and a return to work toolkit that are meant to help practices take measures before, during and after patient appointments to protect dentists, patients and staff. In a statement, the ADA said it believes dentists should exercise professional judgement and carefully consider the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize risk of coronavirus transmission.
According to OSHA, dentistry work tasks associated with exposure risk levels include: > Lower (caution) > High > Performing administrative > Entering a known or suspected duties in non-public areas of COVID-19 patient’s room or dentistry facilities, away from care area. > Providing emergency dental care, other staff members. > Medium not involving aerosol-generating > Providing urgent or procedures, to a known or emergency dental care, not suspected COVID-19 patient. > Performing aerosol-generating involving aerosol-generating procedures on well patients. procedures, to well patients > Very High (i.e., to members of the > Performing aerosol-generating general public who are not procedures on known or susknown or suspected COVID-19 pected COVID-19 patients. patients). > Working at busy staff work > Collecting or handling speciareas within a dentistry mens from known or suspected facility. COVID-19 patients.
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The ADA has provided interim mask and face shield guidelines that align with existing CDC recommendations for patients without signs or symptoms of COVID-19, including: > It should be assumed that all patients can transmit disease. > Use the highest level of PPE available when treating patients to reduce risk. > N95 masks – Level of risk: Low > N95 equivalent masks, KN/ KP95, PFF2, P2, DS/DL2, Korean Special 1st – Level of risk: Low > Surgical mask – Level of risk: Moderate > If masks with either googles or face shields are not available, please understand there is a higher risk for infection. > Use your professional judgement related to the treatment provided and the patient’s risk factors. Meanwhile, for those dentists reopening their doors, the ADA’s Advisory Task Force on Dental Practice Recovery has developed the free “Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit.” It includes: > Welcome back reassurance sample letter to patients > Guidance on pre-appointment screening > In-office patient registration procedures > Reception area preparation strategies > Chairside checklist
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