3 Things to know from the ADA Covid-19 Press Briefing- May 15, 2020

I was invited to attend a virtual meeting with the leadership of the American Dental Association and their Covid response team on May 15, 2020.  Here are my notes. Please don't shoot the messenger!

ADA press briefing

30-% dental offices offering are offering full dental care at this time.

CDC will be issuing new guidance shortly

Liability nothing changed with employees and patients in regards to safety. Back to reasonable things being done. Maybe some upcoming limitations of liability laws from the state or local government.

ADA and ADHA have been in contact.  They did not address the rift between dentists and hygienists

Anything recommended by the ADA is recommended based on some science.  Expertise was brought in from outside of dental such as Aerosol experts and occupational engineers, to assist in developing guidelines.

No science to back up the need for a pre rinse prior to treating at patient.

Government and CDC guidance is difficult at this time coming they need to come to agreements.

Once CDC issues guidelines the states should fall in line as the Covid  guidelines becomes the new normal. This maybe regional over time.

28 states are reopened. Bounce back of providing care has been positive.

Younger dentists non owners over half were not being paid.

Half of dentists got financial relief from the government in some form.

ADA, CDC and OSHA are mostly guidelines. Looking to early open states to see how safe dental offices can keep everyone. 

ADA is aware of the frustration of many dentists.

ADA is still planing on either a virtual or in person meeting in October. (The ADA National Conference is scheduled for October in Orlando FL) Decisions to be made in about a month

ADA Public Relations trying time get the word out on safety through all channels. Says they have had great interest and gave lots of data about web site hits and social media engagement.  Lots of people have downloaded their interim guidance information. Here is the link!



This is the most important part to be taken from the ADA at this time,
There have been no cases of Covid worldwide transmission in the dental office. They need  to figure out a plan to encourage patients to return to a dental office. Doesn’t want to say it’s now safe as it has always been safe.

Know they need to address specific needs and not a shotgun approach to all the issues.

Unemployment and economics will be more important to dental offices then fear or safety as we emerge form Covid.

Was the ADA prepared for an emergency such as Covid? ADA says they were well prepared for this emergency. Says it took 10 days for them to ramp up to Covid.

ADA says they were the first to recommend no elective dental work and recommend the donations of PPE before being advised to do this by the federal or state governments.

Believe all states should be open in 2 weeks. Don’t quote them on that.

Emergency decision to suspend treatment was a difficult decision.


Second most importation thing saidADA doing surveillance  studies to see if Covid is being transmitted from dental offices.

ADA has worked with states with success with getting state guidelines changed.

ADA position is a dentist should be able to order Covid test and /or administer them. Serology antibody testing is not where it needs to be in terms of reliability. Lots of dentists are buying tests that should not be used. Some tests currently being sold will not be reauthorized to be used.

PPE- we can extend the life of PPE within OSHA guidelines.
Depending on way you try and disinfect masks  ect. results are variable


PPE is basically not available because of FEMA. They are trying to get FEMA at the state levels to get dentists PPE. We have moved up from the bottom of the list to #4. State FEMA has discretion on PPE distribution. Problems acquiring PPE should continue until July. Governors also have discretion on availability of PPE. 3M has ramped up production.