Denial of Access to Operating Room Time in Hospitals for Pediatric Dental Care. "The health of children is impaired more than ever by a lack of OR access - delayed treatment, worsening dental disease, chronic pain, medical complications, and overuse of antibiotics and pain medications. Poor and minority children covered by Medicaid are disproportionately affected, making healthcare inequities worse. Conversely, children who promptly receive the care they need are on the road to improved health, better able to eat, sleep, play, learn and smile. That’s why continued advocacy for access must be a priority. Pediatric patients with severe dental disease or special health care needs will need to be managed in a hospital environment, despite innovative strategies to work around lack of access to OR time. This brief will support pediatric oral health advocates by providing perspectives on the extent and trajectory of OR access, and offering possible solutions." Click here to view.

American College of Surgeons: Clinical Issues and Guidance_COVID-19. This page directs you to a number of guidance documents and statements issued by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) on key considerations for practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Most relevant sections can be found in the ACS: COVID-19 and Surgery highlight on the left side of the page, including the latest statement, Joint Statement: Roadmap for Maintaining Essential Surgery during COVID-19 Pandemic. Click here to view. (Updated November 23, 2020)

Considerations for the Provision of Essential Oral Health Services in the Context of COVID-19, Revised, WHO. Released to address essential oral health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, this concise guidance document issued by the World Health Organization gives direction on oral health care delivery when transmission rates are above the acceptable level according to national and local recommendations. Click here to read. (August 3, 2020)

Management of Dental Patients with Special Health Care Needs, AAPD. Often requiring access to hospital care, the situation that patients with SHCN face during the COVID-19 pandemic merit particular attention. From the Reference Manual of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, this recommendation addresses the unique concerns of children and adults with special health care needs (SHCN). To learn more about the best management practices the oral health care needs of your patients with SHCN, click here. (April 28, 2020)

Joint Statement from ACS, ASA, AORN, & AHA: Roadmap for Resuming Elective Surgery after COVID-19 Pandemic.  This statement from the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, and American Hospital Association outlines principles and considerations central to resumption of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.