Recommended Postponement of Non-emergency Dental Services During COVID19

Postponement of Non-Emergency Dental Services Recommended During COVID-19 Pandemic

The City of St. Louis Department of Health is joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Dental Association, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in recommending that non-emergency and elective dental procedures be postponed until future notice. This guidance to oral health care practitioners is being issued to assist in protecting staff and preserving personal protective equipment and patient care supplies. Taking this action will also expand available hospital capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

“As we continue to coordinate our COVID-19 response efforts we have to make sure we examine safeguards and efficiencies within all areas of health care systems,” says Dr. Fredrick Echols, director of health for the City of St. Louis. “The dental profession is a key segment of our health care systems.”

It’s being recommended that urgent clinical care of patients with known or suspected COVID-19, be coordinated with dental personnel and medical providers to determine an appropriate facility for treatment and they follow the CDC&#’;s Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings. The urgency and need for a procedure are decisions based on clinical judgement and should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Visit Coronavirus://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/dental-settings.html for additional guidance for dental settings during COVID-19.