1. CDC updates guidance for mask-wearing, infection control for oral care providers: The CDC updated its infection and control prevention measures for oral healthcare providers Feb. 8, as well as eased indoor mask guidance for the general public Feb. 25. After the update, the American Dental Association offered clarification about indoor masking in dental practices.
2. Attitudes about DSOs are shifting in wake of pandemic: Alexandra Laurain, CEO of Viridian Dental Partners, spoke with Becker’s to discuss why she is excited about the future of dentistry and the industry’s shifting perspective on DSOs:
“I think we’ve adapted to [COVID-19] and that we’ve navigated it as a whole fairly well. … I’m very excited about what I’m seeing as a shift in mindset, especially about the DSO space with dentists. I think you used to have this mentality that it was corporate dentistry and they’re terrible and they’re just gonna drain the life out of your practice.
“I think that this whole situation with COVID has brought a shift in perspective for many doctors, which I think doesn’t just benefit the DSOs and the people who essentially own them. It’s also going to benefit the doctors because I think that the more open they are, the more they will see that if you can look to a DSO like Viridian or some similar DSOs within this space, they will see that they do provide assistance and support so that the doctor continues to focus on dentistry, which now has the added stress of having to deal with COVID and navigate it, and that we really can be partners.”
3. Dentists’ anxiety has tripled over last 2 decades: ADA: The percentage of dentists diagnosed with anxiety tripled in 2021 compared to 2003, according to a new report from the American Dental Association. The 2021 “Dentist Health and Well-Being Survey Report” was first conducted in 2003 and last conducted in 2015. The ADA sent a survey to 20,000 dentists throughout the U.S. in March 2021. The ADA said it is sharing the report in support of a resolution passed by the 2021 ADA House of Delegates to support the mental health of dentists.
