Dental practices should be considered hard-hit businesses amid the pandemic, according to a Nov. 25 editorial by Mark Funke, DDS, president of the Nevada Dental Association.
"Dentists are also facing tougher times today as we navigate how to care for our patients and keep our doors open," Dr. Funke wrote in the Reno Gazette-Journal. Dr. Funke cited an American Dental Association survey from early November in which about 40 percent of dentists surveyed said they were either losing money or barely breaking even, compared to March, when only about 5 percent of dentists reported the same thing.
"I'm not surprised," Dr. Funke wrote. "I hear such stories every day from fellow dentists around the state."
Since Nevada dentists resumed nonurgent care months ago, revenues have dropped while costs for supplies and added safety precautions have skyrocketed. Most Nevada dentists are having a hard time absorbing the increased costs, or have not been able to, Dr. Funke wrote. Consequently, some dentists have had to add charges to cover pandemic-related costs.
The NDA is encouraging patients to continue visiting their dentist per usual, but asks for understanding amid the pandemic.
"I just hope we don't lose too many dental offices as we work our way through these trying times," Dr. Funke concluded. "The loss of a dental office is a loss to the workforce and a loss to access to care."