Washington Denturist Association



Washington Denturist AssociationDENTURE CLINIC GUIDELINES FOR MOVING FORWARD DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMICGiven that we have been advised the pandemic will last until an effective vaccine or treatment, the denturist profession needs to be able to adapt as the cases of COVID-19 and availability of PPE increase and decrease during the crisis. While workers in the dental industry as a whole are considered high risk for industrial exposure to COVID-19 due to droplets and aerosols from dental procedures, denturists do not perform procedures that generate aerosols and have the ability to disinfect dentures before performing procedures (). The Washington Denturist Association is providing guidance to our members to help them assess the level of care they should provide as the pandemic continues. Using guidance from local health departments, denturists should use their professional clinical judgment to decide the procedures needed by the patient. Data is available from local health departments. Daily county-by county updates are available at the COVID-19 Emergency Denturists Should Comply with Current Guidance for Health Care Providers (Governor’s Proclamation Number 20-24.1) Emphasizing the Following:Develop a COVID-related safety plan that includes input and regular feedback from employees to include: Mandatory reporting of staff or household members of staff who have been diagnosed with COVID-19Daily screening of symptoms and temperature Use of appropriate PPE, including face coverings even for administrative staffWho to contact at your local health department if an employee, employee’s family member, or a patient becomes ill with COVID-19.A sick policy stating that any staff member who is ill or experiencing malaise does not report to work or goes home if at workUse teledental services when possible Screen patients for fever above 100.4 and COVID-19 symptomsIf a patient cannot answer screening questions, request that they bring someone who canEncourage patients to wash their hands and provide signage concerning proper handwashing and no face-touchingImplement social-distancing policies and environments, including spacing between patients and minimizing potential exposure in waiting rooms.Continue to practice universal standards for infection controlRegularly disinfect high-touch surfacesMaintain an adequate supply of PPE (The Washington State Department of Health recommends that an adequate supply of PPE is 7 days’ worth, and assurance that there will be no gap in the next order -- )It is further recommended that if COVID-19 activity is sharply increasing in a denturists’ local community, PPE is limited, or hospital surge capacity in the local community is limited that denturists limit or cease cosmetic procedures until their local health department indicates the problems have been resolved. ................
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