Washington governor orders more COVID-19 safety regulations for dental practices

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee laid out new COVID-19 infection control requirements for dental and healthcare facilities in a proclamation that goes into effect Dec. 3.

The proclamation, issued Nov. 25, amends the state's existing nonessential dental and medical procedure proclamation to increase outbreak notification, personal protective equipment use, COVID-19 testing for healthcare professionals and distancing requirements in non-clinical areas within healthcare facilities.

Mr. Inslee banned dental and medical care providers from performing nonurgent procedures unless they could "act in good faith and with reasonable clinical judgment to meet and follow the procedures and criteria" provided within the proclamation. Criteria included maintaining a sufficient PPE supply, implementing non-punitive employee leave and limiting visitors to only those who are essential for a patient’s wellbeing.

Read the full list of criteria here.

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