As more states begin reopening their dental practices for nonemergency care, some dentists remain unsure if they are adequately prepared to safely resume routine procedures.
The following measures are for dentists to consider as they reopen their offices:
- To ensure safety for staff and patients, dentists should maintain a sufficient personal protective equipment supply, including N95 face masks, surgical face masks, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, liquid sterilant, barrier film, protective eyewear and chair covers.
- Some dentists are implementing air filters or negative pressure rooms in their practices. This equipment sucks out all the room's air about every three to four minutes, filters it and releases it outside.
- Made available online May 15, the application for Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness gives dentists the opportunity to not pay back federal aid they received to maintain and rehire their employees.
- Some dentists are advocating for the requirement of COVID-19 screenings before patients can enter their practice in order to protect patients and staff from contraction of the coronavirus.
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