Five state dental directors shared how their jobs have changed this year and how they have supported their states' dentists amid the pandemic, as reported by the American Dental Association.
Five state dental directors shared how their jobs have changed this year and how they have supported their states' dentists amid the pandemic, as reported by the American Dental Association.
Samuel Zwetchkenbaum, DDS, Rhode Island state dental director
Many Rhode Island Department of Health employees have been conducting contact tracing, said Dr. Zwetchkenbaum, "I was deployed from my usual work from March to May, deactivated June to September, and now redeployed since early October," Dr. Zwetchkenbaum said. "Essentially, I am told that regular duties are mostly suspended and most of my time should be on COVID work."
Dr. Zwetchkenbaum said the experience has connected him more positively with Rhode Island dentists, adding that he hopes the relationships built now can extend to help work on greater problems, including addressing access to care for vulnerable populations.
Jayanth Kumar, DDS, California state dental director
Creating a safe environment to prevent virus transmission in the dental setting is key, Dr. Kumar said, noting the importance of preventive dental visits and daily home care to avoid dental problems.
"With this pandemic, new information is constantly emerging. Therefore, there is a need to communicate updated information to the dental community as well as the public," Dr. Kumar said. "Working closely with several branches within the California Department of Public Health, the California Dental Association, local health departments and other partners, we have participated in developing tools, training and resources to implement the recommendations for preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in dental settings."
Mona Van Kanegan, DDS, Illinois state dental director
As the virus surges, dental professionals must continue to be vigilant about their own health as well as that of their patients, Dr. Van Kanegan said. "The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations, adding to the existing disparities in oral healthcare. Unavailable healthcare workers due to COVID-19 infections will further stress the healthcare system for all. It is imperative to remind and to reinforce previously issued guidance with special attention to close staff-staff unprotected contacts likely to occur in dental offices and pose a risk of transmission," she explained.
"As dentists we are flexible, we are leaders and we have a degree of influence," Dr. Van Kanegan said. "These qualities are in our nature and our work and have helped in the pandemic response."
John Dane, DDS, Missouri state dental director
The biggest program change occurred when schools closed, shutting down their largest program that provides screening and fluoride varnish in schools, Dr. Dane said.
On a personal level, the pandemic has forced Dr. Dane to be more flexible with his time to allow forCOVID-related meetings, after-hour phone calls and a COVID-19 hotline. "Personally I have become more sensitive to the potential risks with my family and office staff," Dr. Dane said. "There is a lot of concern, but having information helps reduce the anxiety."
Russell Dunkel, DDS, Wisconsin state dental director
It is imperative for Dr. Dunkel to assimilate all the knowledge he can to provide leadership, guidance and education to the healthcare community and the public at large.
"In dentistry, we have historically tended to work in our own little silos and the experiences of the pandemic have strengthened my beliefs that we cannot continue to function in this manner any longer," Dr. Dunkel said. "I have had an even greater opportunity then before to work with a larger number of diverse, highly educated, extremely passionate group[s] of individuals who are extremely committed to the work we are doing."