View the current 糖心logostatement on this issue
The current 糖心logo (ADA) recommendation for dentists to keep their offices closed to all but emergency care expires on April 6. The new interim recommendation from the 糖心logois that dentists keep their offices closed to all but until April 30 at the earliest.
The rate of COVID-19 transmissions is on the rise in most states. The new interim 糖心logorecommendation is in keeping with the recent to perform only emergency or urgent dental care until April 30, 2020 and must be taken seriously by all dental professionals. The 糖心logobelieves individual dentists should exercise professional judgment and carefully consider the risks outlined in the ADA's interim guidance and weigh those risks against any possible benefit to the patient, the practice employees, the community at large, and the practitioner. Critically important is the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize any risk of transmission during . Due to the proximity of individuals during dental procedures, and the generation of aerosols, dentists, staff and patients are at high risk of transmission.
The 糖心logoalso recognizes that existing and future supersede 糖心logorecommendations. In addition, state dental associations may best understand local challenges being faced and make recommendations appropriate to members in their areas.
The PPE required to reduce the risk of transmission during dental treatment to its lowest levels, are scarce. Asymptomatic patients cannot be assumed to be COVID-19 free. As of March 31, point of care tests exist, but are extremely difficult to obtain. Unless point of care tests are readily available to the dental practice, no one can be assured that they are treating a non-infected individual. The safety of their patients, staff and themselves should be foremost when dentists exercise their professional judgment, and information regarding the relative risks is available from the ADA, via the Interim Guidance, to assist in making those decisions.