The health and safety of our patients are our top concern. As many of you know, we are closed this week for Spring Break. We want to share communication from The Oklahoma Dental Association (ODA) Board of Trustees related to the Coronavirus that we just received. In light of this news, when we return, we will have to cancel many previously scheduled appointments as we are only treating dental emergencies until further notice.
ODA has been closely monitoring the rapidly changing news of the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus) and how dental professionals can ensure the safety of citizens. As healthcare professionals, Oklahoma dentists have a responsibility in the prevention and mitigation efforts during this outbreak. Dentists are also one of the highest risk categories for both transmission and contraction of the Coronavirus as most of the procedures performed creates significant aerosols in the operatories. As part of the healthcare community and the community at large, dentists must protect the safety of patients and staff. This recommendation to the dental profession is intended to reduce the risk of patients’ exposure to COVID-19 and to preserve PPE and supplies, while still allowing access to necessary and emergency dental services that will maintain the oral health of the citizens of Oklahoma and keep them out of the hospital ER.
The ODA Board of Trustees took a unanimous vote to recommend that dental offices in Oklahoma postpone any non-emergent care for three weeks. This is a very difficult decision, but it comes at a critical time and it is the responsibility to take leadership in this situation and have protocols in place to reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19 amongst the community.
This may change and could be updated on a day-to-day basis as the news around COVID-19 is rapidly changing. Additionally, this is a recommendation from the ADA and ODA and is not a mandate or legal advice.
-Please reschedule elective procedures including but not limited to:
- Any cosmetic or aesthetic procedures, such as veneers, teeth bleaching, or cosmetic bonding
- All routine hygiene appointments.
- Any orthodontic procedures not including those that relieve pain and infection or restore oral function or are trauma-related.
- Initiation of any crowns, bridges, or dentures that do not address or prevent pain or restore normal oral functioning.
- Any periodontal plastic surgery.
- Extraction of asymptomatic non-carious teeth.
- Recall visits for periodontally healthy patients.
- Delay all appointments for high risk patients, including ASA 2 and 3 patients, unless it is an emergency.
By rescheduling elective procedures, dentists are doing our part to prevent community spread.
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Jonas McCall, DDS McCall Dental Dental Studio 2214 Chandler Road Muskogee, OK 74403 918.686.6527 office 918.682.4348 fax
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