The American Dental Association has developed a toolkit to help dentists return to work while taking precautions to protect staff, patients and themselves from COVID-19.
The toolkit focuses on short-term management of dental practices and includes a "welcome back" letter to patients, pre-appointment screening guidance, in-office patient registration procedures, reception area preparation, staff protection strategies and a supply shopping list.
"Our goal was to provide a basic road map for members to follow that would allow them to safely reopen their offices," said Kirk Norbo, DDS, co-chair of the ADA's Advisory Task Force on Dental Practice Recovery. "This document is intended to augment current infection control practices to address the COVID-19 virus on an interim basis."
The ADA also recommended dentists consider implementing a soft launch for practices, where new strategies are discussed and practiced before welcoming patients.
The toolkit also includes ADA interim guidance on recommended personal protective equipment.