On Aug. 28, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
updated its
guidance on specific infection control considerations for dental offices during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
This updated guidance complements previous CDC recommendations, including
infection control recommendations for healthcare settings and a
framework for healthcare systems providing non-COVID-19 clinical care. It describes how dental professionals can help protect patients and
dental staff when providing dental services, particularly as dental
settings have unique characteristics differentiating them from other
healthcare facilities and therefore require certain additional
considerations.
Dental practices are encouraged to balance necessary services while
minimizing the risk of spreading COVID-19 to patients and dental healthcare
personnel (DHCP). CDC recommends that DHCP regularly consult state dental
boards and state or local health departments for current information
related to providing dental care within their jurisdictions, as local
guidelines may change based on community transmission and region-specific
COVID-19 trends.
Below are five key takeaways from CDC’s recent
guidance about providing dental services during COVID-19:
- Consider postponing elective procedures, surgeries and non-urgent
outpatient visits.
Dental providers should provide dental treatment only after assessing the
patient’s COVID-19 transmission risk, both to and from the patient. For example, if the dental provider does not have
adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), then dental care should be
prioritized by patient need, with providers treating first those patients
most at most risk if they do not receive dental care.
- Implement teledentistry and triage protocols. Before
patients come in to the office for treatment, dental providers should screen them via telephone for symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If the screen suggests
COVID-19 symptoms, then the parties should postpone non-urgent treatment,
ideally until the patient completes quarantine. If it is appropriate,
consider using teledentistry services. For patients who plan to come in to
the office, the dental provider should also (a) ask patients to limit the
number of visitors who accompany them to the office to include only
necessary individuals; (b) remind patients that they, and anyone with them,
must wear face coverings when they enter the office; and (c) inform
patients that they will be screened for fevers and COVID-19 symptoms before
treatment.
- Implement policies and procedures related to COVID-19.
Dental providers should take steps to ensure policies and procedures are in
place to limit COVID-19 transmission. This includes (a) posting signs,
posters and other visual reminders to practice respiratory and hand
hygiene; (b) removing toys, magazines and other objects from waiting rooms;
(c) installing physical barriers in reception areas; and (d) providing
supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer, in waiting rooms and entrance
areas.
- DHCP should follow certain protocols to limit self-exposure and reduce
spread.
DHCP should wear face masks at all times in the office, including break
rooms or other spaces where they may meet other people. During patient
encounters, DHCP should wear eye protection in addition to face masks, and
they should use N95 respirators or equivalent/better protection during
aerosol-generating procedures. However, CDC has noted that protective
eyewear that allows space between eyewear and the face (such as safety
glasses and trauma glasses) may not protect the wearer’s eyes from all
potential exposure. Additionally, dental providers should offer sick leave
policies for DHCP that are “flexible, non-punitive, and consistent with
public health guidance.” Further, DHCP should continue to be alert for any
symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19 and, if symptoms develop, DHCP
should stay home.
- Implement physical distancing. While the nature of
dental procedures requires close physical proximity, CDC guidance includes
examples of effective physical distancing strategies in dental settings.
These include (a) minimizing the number of patients in the facility by
limiting concurrent dental appointments and asking patients to wait outside
the dental facility before their procedures; (b) restricting the number of
people accompanying patients to their appointments; and (c) ensuring a
minimum distance of 6 feet between seats in waiting rooms.
CDC has continued to update its guidance periodically throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic. Even as dental practices begin re-engaging in the full
range of dental services and resume elective procedures in accordance with
local and state guidance, CDC recommends that dental practices continue to
follow these precautions and best practices as part of the ongoing response
to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dental providers should ensure they monitor CDC’s
guidance to maintain compliance with the latest recommendations. Dental
providers should consult with state and local health department guidance as
well.
For additional information, please consult one of the authors. McGuireWoods
has published additional thought leadership on how companies across various industries
can address crucial coronavirus-related business and legal issues. The
firm’s
COVID-19 response team stands ready to help clients navigate urgent and evolving legal and
business issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 |
|
In a series of video alerts, McGuireWoods’ healthcare lawyers address
issues providers face and overcoming COVID-19 challenges.
|
