We are aware of the potential seriousness of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We practice Universal Standard safety precautions set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA) to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. We are aware that Secretary Azar has declared a Federal Public Health Emergency and Governor Hogan has issued a State Public Health Emergency in MD. To date, 3 cases have been identified in Montgomery county and they are travel-related.

The following information below was obtained from the ADA website on February 28, 2020, regarding Infectious Disease in the News.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases the up-to-date information to the public and healthcare providers on the status of reported cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the United States. Initial cases started in Wuhan, China and it is currently thought that the most likely mode of transmission is human to human. There are multiple reports of transmission from an asymptomatic person with the infection, so there remains much to be learned about how COVID-19 spreads.

The CDC guidelines recommend that, in cases when a patient presents with symptoms of a respiratory infection, the Dental Healthcare Provider may consider postponing non-emergency or elective dental procedures until a patient is no longer contagious with diseases that may be transmitted through airborne, droplet, or contact transmission (e.g., sneezing, coughing, and contact with skin. If urgent dental treatment is necessary.

Dental Healthcare Providers and medical providers should work together to determine the appropriate precautions on a case-by-case basis to avoid the potential spread of diseases among patients, visitors, and staff. Because dental settings are not typically designed to carry out all of the Transmission-Based Precautions that are recommended for hospital and other ambulatory care settings, Dental Healthcare Providers and medical providers will need to determine whether the facility is an appropriate setting for the necessary services for a potentially infectious patient.

To ensure the safety of our patients and staff, we are in strict adherence to page 41 of the CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, which has the following guidance:

1. Wear a surgical mask and eye protection with solid side shields or a face shield to protect mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures likely to generate splashing or spattering of blood or other body fluids.
2. Change masks between patients, or during patient treatment, if the mask becomes wet.
3. Patient and dental healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene (e.g., handwashing with soap or alcohol-based hand rub after possible contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials.
4. Routine cleaning and disinfection strategies used during influenza seasons can be applied to the environmental management for COVID-19. More information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/gl_environinfection.html.

SUMMARY

Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette infection control measures along with contact precautions are currently recommended for preventing transmission of COVID-19 and all flu-like illnesses in a dental healthcare setting. This is an evolving situation and CDC is updating its guidance and information as it becomes available. As new information is being discovered about the Coronavirus, we will continue to be monitoring and updating our patients with any new releases.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as a cough, fever or shortness of breath, to minimize the potential spread of a virus, please call our office so that we can re-schedule your dental visit.