COVID-19

COVID-19 guidelines and standards for dental offices

Current Guidelines:

• Ohio State Dental Board Guidelines
• Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel
• CDC Updates COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance

When utilizing these guidance documents, dentists must use their professional judgment. All are guidance documents intended to assist dentists and employers in working through the issues associated with providing care to their patients in a safe working environment. Each entity may provide slightly differing guidance, and it is up to the dentist to determine how to proceed.

Current Standards

• OSHA COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Standard

A standard is the same as a regulation. As such, dental offices are mandated to adhere to it.

Below is the history of the ODA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How the ODA is working on your behalf

The ODA has been working hard on your behalf during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Poll finds some are delaying dental care; new ODA radio spot highlights importance of seeing a dentist
• COVID-19 Membership Benefit Highlights
• Organized dentistry, profession overcome obstacles in 2020 amid COVID-19 pandemic
• ADA, ODA reiterate the importance of dental care during COVID-19 pandemic
• COVID disrupts ODA’s year, too
• New ODA radio spot highlights importance of dental care
• We’ve secured COVID-19 resources and discounts from our endorsed partners
• The ODA continues to advocate for restoration of oral health services
• ODA Video – April 29, 2020
• ODA Video – April 8, 2020
• ODA Video – March 23, 2020

COVID-19 ODA Advocacy Updates

• PPE reimbursement legislation introduced in Ohio House
• ODA testifies in favor of coronavirus immunity bill
• ODA supports legislation to allow Ohioans to take a tax deduction for out-of-pocket dental expenses
• ODA urges state task force to allow dental offices to reopen as soon as possible
• ODA Letter to Secretary Scalia
• Letter to Gov. DeWine about emergency dental care

Resources for your Practice

• ADA Coronavirus Center for Dentists
• Info from the Ohio Department of Health
• CDC COVID Data Tracker
• Ohio State Dental Board 
• ODA develops sample OSHA Respiratory Protection Program for your office
• Infection control resources for dental offices
• Employers are now required to post a new FFCRA poster
• Do I or my staff members need to quarantine after travel?
• Watch out for COVID-19 scams

Business Resources for Dental Offices

• ADA updates guidance on paying staff when on leave due to COVID
• HHS Provider Relief Fund deadline extended to Aug. 28
• Apply for HHS Provider Relief Fund by Aug. 3
• HHS opens Provider Relief Fund to dentists
• Learn about student loan payment options on webinar on 4/2
• Updated loan information for dentists
• CARES Act information for dentists
• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act information for dentists
• Business Resources
• Business resources for dental offices during COVID-19 pandemic

Dental Insurance and Third-Party Payer Updates

• Delta Dental covering interim therapeutic restorations
• Ohio Medicaid now covers D0140 through telehealth
• Cell phone triage information for dental offices

ODA President's Messages

• ODA President Dr. David Kimberly looks ahead at his 2020-21 term
• Timing is everything
• A Message from ODA President Dr. Sharon Parsons
• A Message from ODA President Dr. Sharon Parsons about reopening
• A message from ODA President Dr. Sharon Parsons about PPE
• ODA President: We’re all in this together
• A message from ODA President Dr. Sharon Parsons about ER diversion
• Office closure checklist from ODA President Dr. Sharon Parsons
• A message from ODA President Dr. Sharon Parsons on COVID-19

COVID-19 News Releases

• Providing dental care providers with vaccine priority will protect all Ohioans
• While certain localities have issued stay at home advisories, dental care is still essential
• Ohio Dental Association praises Gov. DeWine’s announcement to reopen dental offices
• Congress passes more aid for small businesses
• Ohio Dental Association supports state’s recommendations to delay elective dental procedures

Past Updates

• People in counties under level 3 public health emergency must wear masks
• Webinar: “Getting Back to Practice”
• Webinar: “What’s Next: Practicing Dentistry After COVID-19”
• Dental offices can reopen May 1
• Read the April ODA Today online!
• Please donate your excess PPE
• Sign up to help with ER diversion for patients without a dentist
• State extends stay at home order, order restricting dentists to emergency services only remains in effect
• ODA resources to check out while staying at home
• Information on Ohio’s stay at home order
• Ohio Stay at Home Order
• Information on Childcare Centers
• State issues new order on elective procedures (3/18/2020)
• Gov. DeWine recommends COVID-19 actions for dental offices

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

• Beware of protected health information when sharing vaccine status
• Can I require my employees to receive a COVID vaccine?