02/24/2021
Florida has moved to Phase 3 of its reopening plan.
Florida dental offices were reopened when the governor issued Executive Order 20-112, which outlines protocols that need to be met in order to restart elective procedures and signaled Phase 1 of the “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step” plan. When moving to Phase 2, the state of Florida distributed FAQs for additional guidance (Executive Order 20-139).
The state is now in Phase 3 as announced by issuance of Executive Order 20-244 on Sept. 25.
The Florida Dental Association (FDA) suggests that dental practices continue operating as outlined in guidance from the American Dental Association (ADA) in its reopening toolkit which was developed by the ADA’s Advisory Task Force on Dental Practice Recovery co-chaired by FDA Immediate Past President Dr. Rudy Liddell. This toolkit is focused on practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic and includes resources such as staff protection strategies, a chairside checklist for working in the operatory, guidance for pre-appointment screening, in-office patient registration, post-procedure patient exit and much more.
The ADA issued guidance for implementing COVID-19 hazard assessments in dental settings that can be used to mitigate risk. The ADA also released a hazard assessment checklist as a supplementary tool (both require an ADA member login). These are complementary pieces to the ADA Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit and will enable dentists to provide dental care in a safe and healthy work environment for employees while reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread for all. The FDA has developed a toolkit for practices that have COVID-19 exposure from patients or staff members who have tested positive.
If you have questions that are not answered on the COVID-19 section of the FDA's website, please email [email protected].
