Dental News — COVID-19

Dental professionals must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination; unvaccinated must get tested regularlyThe State of California issued an order to require all health care workers in the state to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or be tested regularly. Dental offices and dental office staff are included in vaccination disclosure order.Dentist employers must verify that their workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Dental staff who are not fully vaccinated or who cannot show proof of vaccination are subject to weekly COVID-19 testing and will be required to wear surgical masks, at minimum. 

The ADA recognizes that state governments and state dental associations may be best positioned to recommend to the dentists in their regions the amount of time to keep their offices closed to all but emergency care. This is fluid situation and those closest to the issue may best understand the local challenges being faced. Dental emergencies during COVID-19                                          This guidance may change as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. Dentists should use their professional judgment in determining a patient’s need for urgent...

Revisions were made on April 27, 2020 To address asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, implement source control (require facemasks or cloth face coverings) for everyone entering the dental setting (dental healthcare personnel [DHCP][ 1 ] and patients), regardless of whether they have COVID-19 symptoms. Actively screen everyone on the spot for fever and symptoms of COVID-19 before they enter the dental setting. Actively screen DHCP on the spot for fever and symptoms before every shift. During the COVID-19 pandemic, dental emergencies[ 2 ] will arise and may require treatment by DHCP. DHCP should regularly consult their state dental boards or other regulating agencies...

Updated March 4, 2020 Dentists are advised to continue to screen all patients for recent travel to any locations confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to have confirmed cases of COVID-19, also known as the new coronavirus, which first appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Any travel completed between December and now is considered recent travel. As part of the screening, dentists should also verify when the patient returned to the United States. Dentists can check the list daily until health officials report that screening is no longer necessary. If the patient reports that at least two weeks...

Employees and Sick Leave What if I have an employee who recently traveled abroad?Employers should consult with legal counsel before requiring an employee who recently traveled to China or through any region where there has been an outbreak of the virus to stay home from work to ensure the employer is not violating the Americans with Disabilities Act or any local, state or federal antidiscrimination laws. Should I update my sick leave policy?Employers should ensure that state-mandated paid sick leave policies are compliant, flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies. CDC also...