The CDC made changes Aug. 4 to its interim infection control guidelines for dental settings.
Key changes:
1. Prioritize the most critical services and provide care in a way that minimizes both harm to patients from delaying care and harm from potential virus exposure.
2. Proactively communicate to both staff and patients to stay at home if sick.
3. Know the steps to take if a patient with COVID-19 symptoms enters the facility.
4. Updated the definition of fever to either measured temperature equal to or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or subjective fever.
5. In areas with moderate to substantial community spread, during patient encounters with patients not suspected of infection, CDC recommends that dental personnel wear eye protection in addition to their face mask. Protective eyewear with gaps between glasses and the face likely do not protect eyes from all splashes and sprays.
6. Additional guidance on physical distancing for patients and staff.