CORRECTED: Official Directive on Elective Procedures

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CORRECTED: Official Directive on Elective Procedures

Dear Dental Licensee,

Due to a number of inquiries regarding our recent guidance in light of COVID-19, and a number of reports of dental offices continuing to offer elective procedures, please consider this email an official directive to adhere to the mandate established in Governor Jared Polis’s Executive Order D 2020 009. Under this order, all dental practices and practitioners MUST cease all elective or non-emergency procedures until at least April 14, 2020. The only procedures or surgeries that are permissible under this Executive Order are those that address the following:

    • There is a threat to the patient’s life if the surgery or procedure is not performed; 
    • There is a threat of permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ system if the surgery or procedure is not performed;
    • There is a risk of metastasis or progression of staging of a disease or condition if the surgery or procedure is not performed; or 
    • There is a risk that the patient's condition will rapidly deteriorate if the surgery or procedure is not performed and there is a threat to life, or to an extremity or organ system, or of permanent dysfunction or disability.

Under this list, there is no authorization for a routine or elective dental procedure, and as a result, all licensees must CEASE such unauthorized procedures.

Practitioners looking for additional guidance can consult the CDC's oral health COVID-19 page, which states that, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that dental facilities postpone elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent dental visits, and prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures now and for the coming several weeks.” The CDC's COVID-19 Oral Health Page also includes guidance on how to triage urgent needs of patients known to or suspected to be infected with COVID-19. (Bear in mind that Colorado’s Executive Order D 2020 009 now prohibits the delivery of elective or non-urgent dental visits, rather than CDC’s encouragement that such visits be postponed.)

We understand that this may cause unfortunate financial difficulties for many, but it is imperative that we all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 at this time. 

As a reminder, the Colorado Dental Board may pursue disciplinary action against your license if we continue to receive reports about non-essential, non-emergency procedures being conducted, including but not limited to issuing a cease and desist order as well as issuing a fine. The Division of Professions and Occupations is working with the Office of the Attorney General to appropriately address any reported violations at this time to ensure compliance.

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