KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the American Dental Association recommended Tuesday that dentists nationwide postpone all elective procedures.
“The American Dental Association recognizes the unprecedented and extraordinary circumstances dentists and all health care professionals face related to growing concern about COVID-19,” ADA President Chad P. Gehani said in a statement to announce the recommendation.
The decision, which recommends halting elective procedures for the next three weeks, is an effort to help stem the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S.
“The ADA is deeply concerned for the health and well-being of the public and the dental team,” Gehani continued. “In order for dentistry to do its part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the ADA recommends dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures for the next three weeks.”
Emergency dental care should continue based on ADA guidance, a move that also could help ease the burden on hospital emergency rooms.
Some dentists in the Kansas City area started calling patients to reschedule appointments for the coming weeks by Tuesday morning.
