What the CDC recommends

Posted on by Leslie Boyd

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines include the following recommendations:

  • Screen for dental emergencies using teledentistry or other remote methods.
  • Take extraoral radiographs whenever possible, since intraoral techniques may induce coughing.
  • Reduce aerosol production as much as possible through the use of hand instruments, dental dams and high-speed suction.
  • Wear N95 masks, with a positive seal around the nose and mouth, in combination with a full-face shield. … If N95 masks are not available, surgical masks approved by the Food and Drug Administration must be worn for each patient and not reused, in conjunction with proper use of goggles, gowns and gloves.
  • The only dental team members within 6 feet of the treatment aerosol area should be the operator and the assistant.
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