Our team at Dental Power is continuing to monitor the rapidly evolving situation surrounding COVID-19. We recognize the unprecedented challenges that our dental community is facing, and the uncertainties of practicing dentistry in the midst of a pandemic. Our team has been hard at work to provide our dentists and dental staff with the support and tools that you need. Here we have gathered some useful information and resources to help you navigate these difficult times.
This page will be updated as more information becomes available or clarified. Please contact us with any corrections and/or updates.
ALABAMA
Summary
Gov. Kay Ivey issued a Safer-at-Home order on Apr. 28: "Effective April 30, 2020, at 5:00 P.M., dental, medical, or surgical procedures may proceed unless the State Health Officer or his designee determines that performing such procedures, or any category of them (whether statewide or regionally), would unacceptably reduce access to personal protective equipment or other resources necessary to diagnose and treat COVID-19."
ALASKA
Summary
Gov. Dunleavy issued mandate allowing non-urgent/non-emergent elective surgeries and procedures to resume, effective May 4.
ARIZONA
Summary
Gov. Ducey issued Executive Order 2020-32 on Apr. 22 allowing dentists to resume elective, non-essential surgeries with restrictions, starting May 1. On Apr. 27, the Arizona Department of Health published its "Executive Order 2020-32 Frequently Asked Questions" clarifying the Order as it applies to dental providers.
ARKANSAS
Summary
Dental health care providers may resume non-urgent elective services on May 18, subject to certain requirements as issued by Arkansas Department of Health.
CALIFORNIA
Summary
Dentistry essential.
COLORADO
Summary
"Medical, dental, or veterinary voluntary or elective surgeries and procedures may resume as long as the healthcare facility, clinic, office or practice, surgical center, hospital, or other setting where health care services are provided (Facilities or Facility) follows protocols and criteria set forth in this Executive Order and any accompanying Public Health Order (PHO) issued by CDPHE."
CONNECTICUT
Summary
Gov. Lamont mentioned during his press conference that dentists may return to providing elective dental procedures, given sufficient supply of PPE and adherence to ADA's "Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit."
DELAWARE
Summary
As stated in the Division of Public Health Resumption of Elective and Non-Urgent Medical Procedures and Appointments - dentists, as health care providers, may resume elective and non-urgent procedures and appointments on May 20, 2020, provided all required measures are in place.
FLORIDA
Summary
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plan for Florida’s recovery, allowing for elective procedures to resume in a hospital ambulatory surgical center, office surgery center, dental office, orthodontic office, endodontic office or other health care practitioners’ office on Monday, May 4, with the exception of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
GEORGIA
Summary
Gov. Brian Kemp declared through his Apr. 23 Order and will now allow Georgia licensed dental practices and clinics to provide the "full scope of their services" as long as they adhere to ADA guidelines.
HAWAII
Summary
Gov. David Ige's Mar. 23 stay-at-home order was allowed to expire on Apr. 30, thereby allowing all non-urgent and elective procedures to resume on May 1. Hawaii Dental Association recommends that "dentists return to work in a manner consistent with local and state orders, adhering to established public health guidelines, and in phases that are are deemed safe, cautious, and methodical."
IDAHO
Summary
"While dentistry is not specifically called out (in Gov. Little's Idaho Rebounds phased approach to opening up Idaho) since it has been considered an essential business, we believe that given that the metric of providing health care in a non-crisis mode (page 2 of the Governor's plan) has been met, dentists may choose to expand care in phase 1."
ILLINOIS
Summary
Effective May 11, Illinois Department of Public Health recommends that oral health providers resume provision of routine oral and dental care consistent with its guidance for minimizing risk of transmission of COVID-19 in an oral healthcare setting.
INDIANA
Summary
Gov. Hocomb issued an order allowing elective procedures to resume Apr. 27, so long as providers and facilities have adopted policies and best practices that protect patients, physicians, and staff against COVID-19, and have sufficient quantities of PPE.
IOWA
Summary
Gov. Reynolds issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency on May 6, that allows dental offices to resume elective dental care statewide, at 5am on May 8.
KANSAS
Summary
Gov. Kelly lifted statewide Stay-At-Home order. Kansas Department of Health & Environment Bureau of Oral Health has allowed dental offices to fully reopen on May 4. Dentists are reminded to heed any county orders for final reopening guidance.
KENTUCKY
Summary
As part of Gov. Beshear's Phase 1 Health Care Services reopening plan, "Beginning April 27, Kentucky’s licensed dental professionals will be able to provide services to their patients by resuming non-urgent, non-emergent dental services."
LOUISIANA
Summary
Gov. Edwards announced a revised order allowing dental health care professionals to resume non-urgent treatment with restrictions, effective Apr. 27. The revised guidance allows "time sensitive" dental procedures in addition to essential procedures. "In general, 'time sensitive' procedures fall between routine procedures and essential procedures. Any condition that likely will worsen if postponed to the extent that the patient might be harmed would be considered 'time sensitive.' Procedures that are performed strictly for the purpose of enhancing cosmetics are not time sensitive. Any dental procedure that is not addressing a disease process is not time sensitive."
MAINE
Summary
"Maine DHHS and the Maine Board of Dental Practice have issued guidance which acknowledges the US CDC is in the process of updating its recommendations, and if the updated guidance was not posted by Monday, May 18, DHHS will defer to ADA and MDA guidance for reopening dental practices in Maine. "
MARYLAND
Summary
"On May 6, Governor Hogan and the Maryland Department of Health issued new orders that allow dental practices to resume elective procedures effective 7 AM on Thursday, May 7, 2020. All providers must adhere to the Maryland Department of Health's orders before reopening."
MASSACHUSETTS
Summary
In Phase 1 - beginning May 25 - dental practices will be able to treat patients with emergent or likely to become emergent if care is deferred symptoms.
MICHIGAN
Summary
With the new Executive Order - issued by Gov. Whitmer on May 21 - Michigan dental and medical offices will be free to resume regular treatment services, effective May 29.
MINNESOTA
Summary
On May 6, Gov. Walz issued Executive Order 20-51 that states: "After May 10, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and clinics, including
dental, veterinary, mobile and other facilities (hereafter “facilities” or “facility”) performing procedures that utilize PPE or ventilators must complete the requirements" set forth in this Order.
MISSISSIPPI
Summary
"Dentists may perform Non-Essential Services for Low-Risk Patients Only pursuant to the ADSO Guidelines of Essential vs. Non-Essential Dental Procedures as well as defined by the MSBDE COVID-19 Protocols."
MISSOURI
Summary
On Apr. 16, Gov. Parson extended the statewide Stay-At-Home Order through May 3; the date for resuming operations in Missouri was given as May 4. Missouri Dental Association has released the Missouri Dental Practice Recovery Task Force Guidelines.
MONTANA
Summary
"As health care professionals, it is up to dentists to make well-informed decisions about their patients and practices. We encourage MDA members to review the recommendations from the ADA and Center for Disease Control for guidance on how to proceed under these challenging circumstances."
NEBRASKA
Summary
Gov. Ricketts announced that effective May 4, elective surgeries may resume as long as healthcare facilities have adequate supplies of PPE.
NEVADA
Summary
On Apr. 28, Gov. Sisolak announced a phased in approach to resume limited medical and dental procedures under strict guidelines. In order to alleviate the public health burden that may result from continued dental neglect, introduction of dental services to reduce chronic disease progression while continuing to suspend elective procedures is recommended to take effect May 4.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Summary
Gov. Sununnu announced on May 8 that dental offices will be able to reopen on Monday May 11 under new guidance from the state.
NEW JERSEY
Summary
On May 8, New Jersey Dental Association released detailed interpretation of Gov. Murphy's Executive Order issued on March 23, further clarifying the scope of dental practice permitted under the Order; elective procedures may resume with restrictions.
NEW MEXICO
Summary
Reopened for elective procedures as of May 12, with guidelines for qualifyiing for reopen
NEW YORK
Summary
Gov. Cuomo announced on May 31 that dentists can reopen statewide for regular dental care on June 1.
NORTH CAROLINA
Summary
Gov Cooper signed Executive Order No. 138 on May 5, to modify North Carolina's Stay At Home order and transition to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain restrictions effective May 8. "The decision to resume offering routine and non-emergency care is a decision that must be made by individual dentists. Currently, the Governor’s Executive Order 121 lists dentists as essential businesses and does so without restriction. This means there is no current legal restriction preventing dentists from performing any dental procedure they judge to be appropriate for any patient. "
NORTH DAKOTA
Summary
"The NDDA Board of Trustees supports the independent clinical judgment of our member dentists to provide dental care specific to their patients and practice. Further, the NDDA will advocate at the April 27, 2020 NDBODE meeting for the right of all dentists in North Dakota to practice dentistry using their independent
clinical judgment specific to their patients and practice. Further, prior to any member dentist providing any dental care in North Dakota, the NDDA Board of Trustees strongly recommends all member dentists review all American Dental Association COVID-19 Guidance including the Return to Work Toolkit."
OHIO
Summary
"Gov. Mike DeWine announced that dental offices in Ohio can resume providing all care on May 1."
OKLAHOMA
Summary
On Apr. 16, Gov. Stitt issued an amendment to a previous Executive Order to allow for elective surgeries to resume. "All minor medical procedures and non-emergency dental procedures such as outpatient surgeries or procedures for not life-threatening illnesses may resume May 1."
OREGON
Summary
Gov. Kate Brown announced on Apr. 23 plans to resume non-urgent medical and dental procedures. Offices that can meet new requirements for COVID-19 safety and preparedness can resume non-urgent care on May 1.
PENNSYLVANIA
Summary
On May 8, Gov. Wolf and the Secretary of Health revised their healthcare community guidance, removing the prohibition on "elective" i.e. non-urgent and non-emergent dental procedures. Dental providers must follow restrictions when providing care.
RHODE ISLAND
Summary
"On May 1, 2020, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) issued guidance that routine and elective dental care should be postponed until May 8, 2020. This guidance is in alignment with Governor Raimondo’s Reopening Rhode Island Plan. Offices that are in a position to begin offering urgent, emergent, and time-sensitive dental care again, can plan to do so on May 9 or after."
SOUTH CAROLINA
Summary
SCDA posted on Apr. 18 "Guidelines for Reopening Dental Office Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic", with the statement that "The SCDA respectfully requests that South Carolina dental practices be authorized to fully open and fully treat patients as soon as possible in accordance with the following strict infection control guidelines and office protocols which are designed to protect patients, dentists, and the members of the dental team. These guidelines have been reviewed and approved by the South Carolina Dental Association. This should be used as a companion to the ADA Return to Work Toolkit."
SOUTH DAKOTA
Summary
Gov. Noem announced the state's "Back to Normal" plan on Apr. 28. Non-hospital healthcare (including dentists), including clinic visits, can resume so long as providers secure adequate supplies of PPE without relying on the state supply.
TENNESSEE
Summary
On Apr. 29, Gov. Lee issued an executive order to continue to limit non-emergency dental procedures until May 6.
TEXAS
Summary
Gov. Greg Abbot announced during a press conference on Apr. 27, that "all licensed health care professionals", which include "doctors, nurses, and dentists", will be allowed to return to work on May 1, as part of Phase 1 of Gov. Abbot's plan to reopen the state's economy.
UTAH
Summary
Gov. Gary Herbert issued an update to the state's Public Health Order on Apr. 21, allowing hospitals and physicians - including dentists - to resume some elective surgeries.
VERMONT
Summary
As of May 22, Dental practices can resume very low risk and low risk procedures immediately if dental health care professionals fully adhere to the guidance outlined in the Interim Guidance for Resuming Elective Dental Services in Vermont document, and comply with CDC’s Updated Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response. Patients must be confident that the environment where they will receive care is safe.
VIRGINIA
Summary
Gov. Northam announced on Apr. 29 that hospitals and dentists will be allowed to resume non-emergency procedures as of midnight Apr. 30
WASHINGTON
Summary
"Based on the work of the task force, which included the Governor’s advisors, it is anticipated that non-urgent dental care can resume at noon on Monday, May 18."
WEST VIRGINIA
Summary
"The West Virginia Board of Dentistry met on April 27, 2020, to review guidance to return to practice as drafted by the West Virginia Dental COVID19 Task Force. The Guidelines approved by the Board are attached at the top of this page. Despite the information in the Governor's "West Virginia Strong, The Comeback Roadmap", the start date for dental offices to return to work has been set as May 11, 2020."
WISCONSIN
Summary
On May 14th, Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued the Dental Health Care Interim Recommendations - Return to Work, outlining various guidelines for dental offices preparing to reopen.
WYOMING
Summary
The decision to reopen a dental office or remain closed, absent an overriding Directed Health Mandate, is a decision to be made by each individual dental practice. The WDA recognizes that local or state government decisions regarding closures, including restrictions regarding elective health care (DHM’s), supersede WDA recommendations."
