Updated CDC Infection Control Guidance for Dentists. Guidance for Dental Settings is a crucial infection control resource for dentists practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The site has recently been updated to reflect the current understanding of the risks involved with COVID-19 transmission and aerosol-generating procedures in dentistry. By providing the most evidence-based recommendations on a variety of critical topics on safe patient care in the dental setting, this informational web docs serves as an excellent reference for infection control processes while the pandemic persists.  

The key change to the guidance is the removal of the recommendation for all patients to avoid aerosol-generating procedures. The guidance still advises that dentists avoid aerosol-generating procedures for patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Click here to visit Guidance for Dental Settings: Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. (Updated July 7, 2021)

Talking to Parents about the COVID-19 Pandemic. What to say to families coming back to your practice? This new AAPD resource gives concise positive answers to parent questions about treatment, appointments, dental emergencies and other topics related to the oral health care of their children. It lets families know that even though the office may look a bit different, you continue to provide the highest quality of care possible while keeping children safe and comfortable during the dental visit. You can use the fact sheet in conversations with parents, email it to families, and post it on your website and Facebook page. It can be adopted as is or modified to suit your practice. And don’t forget to share it with your referring dental and medical offices. Click here to view.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Children: What Pediatric Health Care Clinicians Need to Know. This piece featured in JAMA Pediatrics reports on how COVID-19 effects children and related clinical implications. To access the article, click here. (December 21, 2020)

 

Estimating COVID-19 Prevalence and Infection Control Practices Among US Dentists. Offering a compelling look at SARS-CoV-2 prevalence among dentists, this article from the Journal of the American Dental Association highlights the key mitigation strategies keeping dental practices safe during the pandemic. Click here to read. (October 15, 2020)

American Dental Assistants Association Statement on Infection Control. Click here to view. (April 28, 2020)

Transmission routes of 2019-nCoV and controls in dental practice. Click here to view. (March 23, 2020)

Comparison of suction device with saliva ejector for aerosol and spatter reduction during ultrasonic scaling. Click here to view. (April 28, 2020)

Efficacy of preprocedural mouth rinses in the reduction of microorganisms in aerosol: A systematic review. Click here to view. (April 28, 2020)

The efficacy of the rubber dam as a barrier to the spread of microorganisms during dental treatment. Click here to view. (April 28, 2020)

A laboratory comparison of evacuation devices on aerosol reduction. Click here to view. (April 28, 2020)

Stanford Medicine Anesthesia Informatics and Media Lab: COVID-19 Evidence Service, Addressing COVID-19 Mask Shortages. Click here to view. (March 22, 2020)

Addressing COVID-19 Face Mask Shortages, Standford Medicine Anesthesia Informatics and Media Lab. Click here to view. (Updated March 22, 2020)

Reopening New York: Dentistry Guidelines for Employers and Employees, New York Department of Health. Click here to view.  (July 24, 2020)

Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President's Plan for Opening Up America Again, CDC. Click here to view.  (June 16, 2020)

Thousands Sick from Virus in Homes for the Disabled, Columbus Dispatch. Click here to view. (June 12, 2020)

Effect of sensory adaptation on anxiety of children with developmental disabilities: a new approach. Click here to view. (April 28, 2020)

What To Do If a Patient or Dental Staff Tests Positive, ADA Webinar. Click here to view. (March 20, 2020)

Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response Webinar, CDC. Click here to view. (June 3, 2020)

Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response Webinar Slides, CDC. Click here to view. (June 3, 2020)

ADA Poll Shows Dental Office Recovering as States Reopen. Click here to view. (May 26, 2020)

Considerations for Release of Stockpiled N95s Beyond the Manufacturer-Designated Shelf Life, CDC. Click here to view. (Updated July 20, 2020)

MMWR Hospitalization Rates and Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized with Laboratory-Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019. Click here to view. (April 17, 2020)