CDC gives its recommendations to dentists regarding COVID-19
CDC aligns its recommendations with the ADA
by KEVIN KUO, DDS, MMSc | March 20, 2020
CDC calls for dentists to post-pone elective treatment to prioritize urgent and emergency procedures. The CDC recommends:
In order to protect staff and preserve personal protective equipment and patient care supplies, as well as expand available hospital capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that dental facilities postpone elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent dental visits, and prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures now and for the coming several weeks. This aligns with the American Dental Association (ADA)’s March 16, 2020 recommendation that dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures, as well the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)’s March 19, 2020 guidance that all non-essential dental exams and procedures be postponed until further notice.
Author Commentary: Like with the ADA recommendations, I agree with the CDC statements. Both paid special attention to their verbiage. Both organizations avoided the word closure. Both made sure to include recommendations for dentists to continue to see urgent and emergency patients.
