The American Dental Association has issued guidance for member dentists to help answer questions about the new CDC mask recommendations for fully vaccinated people.
The CDC COVID-19 PPE Screening FAQ is available to ADA members and answers questions including:
• Do patients still need to wear a mask when visiting a dental office?
• Can dental staff stop wearing masks in the break room?
• Should dentists continue to screen patients and dental staff for COVID-19?
The ADA guidance includes steps to ensure everyone adheres to source control measures and hand hygiene practices, including:
• Posting signs at the entrance and in strategic places (waiting areas, elevators, cafeterias) to provide instructions about wearing a well-fitting face covering and how and when to perform hand hygiene.
• Providing supplies for respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, including hand sanitizer, tissues and no-touch receptacles at facility entrances, waiting rooms and patient check-ins.
• Limiting and monitoring points of entry to the facility.
• Establishing a process to ensure everyone entering the facility is assessed for symptoms of COVID-19 or exposure.