ADA releases coronavirus handout for dentists based on CDC guidelines

Dentists should follow standard precautions at all timesFebruary 24, 2020 By Mary Beth VersaciThe American Dental Association has released aninformational handout for dentists on the coronavirus disease, now named COVID-19.The handout covers strategies for helping prevent the transmission of suspected respiratory disease in the dental health care setting and answers frequently asked questions related to the virus, based onguidelines from theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Similar to patients with other flu-like illnesses, patients with COVID-19 have reported mild to severe symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. Within 14 days of symptom onset, they also may have had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient or a history of travel from affected geographic areas.Patients with an acute respiratory illness may seek treatment at outpatient dental settings. The ADA recommends following standard precautions with all patients, at all times.Dental health care personnel should be alert and identify patients with an acute respiratory illness when they arrive, give them a disposable surgical face mask to wear and isolate them in a single-patient room with the door kept closed to limit their contact with other patients and personnel. Isolated patients should wear their masks outside their rooms.To help prevent the transmission of all respiratory infections, dental practices should adhere torespiratory hygiene/cough etiquette infection control mea...
Source: Dental Technology Blog - Category: Dentistry Source Type: news