DENTAL PRACTICES ‘LARGELY EXEMPT’ FROM OSHA RULE

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Dental Practices 'Largely Exempt' 

 from OSHA Rule

The American Dental Association (ADA) reports dental practices are mostly exempt from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s new emergency temporary standard to protect health care workers from COVID-19.

The OSHA emergency standard, released June 10, 2021, provides additional guidance for health care settings, including hospitals and nursing homes, where all employees may not be screened for COVID-19, and non-employees and patients with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 are allowed to enter and may be treated.

Dental practices are largely exempt from the new OSHA emergency temporary standard; however, dental practices must continue to follow some key provisions:

  • Pre-appointment screenings are still necessary; 
  • Everyone (patients, non-employees on site, and staff) must be screened prior to entry and those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not permitted to enter; and 
  • Dental practices should have a written COVID-19 plan 

ADA President Daniel J. Klemmedson, DDS, MD, stated it is because of dentistry’s proven ability to practice safely during the pandemic. He pointed to the profession’s widespread adoption of the guidance outlined in the ADA Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit as key to that success. Dr. Klemmedson praised fellow dentists for their strong adherence to the use of increased personal protective equipment and infection control precautions throughout the pandemic.

The Minnesota Board of Dentistry still requires dentists to follow the CDC guidelines regarding infection control measures, and the latest guidelines are listed in the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/dental-settings.html

Read the full article here.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) dental guidance has not changed at this time. When CDC guidance is changed, the Board of Dentistry will change information in the facility plan templates and send notification to all licensees.

Bridgett Anderson, Bridgett.Anderson@state.mn.us is out of office, but will respond to emailed questions on Tuesday, June 22nd.