COVID-19 Impact on the Dental Care System

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health begins a new research area on oral health equity in America. Research reports reveal results from a nationally representative survey regarding patient attitudes, experiences, and behaviors on oral health. The inaugural reports discuss a coming surge in oral health treatment needs and dentists’ role in delivering COVID-19 vaccines.

In this seventh amendment to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, the US Department of Health and Human Services has expanded the authorized providers who can vaccinate patients for COVID-19 to include dentists and dental students.

On February 9, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order permitting licensed dentists in North Carolina to administer 2 COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

American Dental Hygienists’ Association and American Dental Association partners for the first time to conduct a survey of US dental hygienists’ infection rates and infection control practices during COVID-19. Findings reveal dental hygienists’ willingness to return to the dental office, whether voluntary or involuntary, and a survey of infection control conditions.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provides an increase in the federal share of certain Medicaid spending with requirements to meet certain Maintenance of Eligibility (MOE) requirements that include continuous coverage for current enrollees. This brief provides an overview of the MOE requirements.

COVID-19 has severely disrupted oral health care delivery. This report by the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement discusses opportunities for innovation, to improve financial sustainability and access to care.

This report from the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement highlights the continued value of telehealth. As evidenced by the report, providers who experienced financial disruptions and those who expected long-term changes to their dental practices were more likely to use telehealth.

The article describes a survey of US adults which aimed to examine public support structures (health insurance, income support, and unemployment policies) during the earlier months of the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess varying public support about the role of government. During the initial phase of the pandemic, most US adults were supportive of a range of safety-net policies.

A news article describing a recently passed law by Oregon lawmakers (Oregon House Bill 2020), permitting dentists to administer vaccinations, becoming the only state allowing this with no restrictions on vaccination type or age group of vaccine recipient.

On October 19, the ADA House of Delegates passed a resolution (Resolution 91H-2020) offering support to dentists who seek to administer vaccines, including a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 when it becomes available.

A resolution passed by the ADA House of Delegates in October 2020 supports increasing medical capacity to participating dentists during declared public health emergencies. The resolution (Resolution 20H-2020) states dentists should be allowed to administer critical vaccines, perform FDA-authorized diagnostic tests, take patient histories and triage patients, and perform other ancillary medical procedures and activities to expand the nation’s surge capacity.

Teledentistry allows dental professionals to provide care remotely. While proponents of teledentistry claim it can help provide oral health to rural Americans with limited access to care, barriers to adopting teledentistry include difficulty getting insurers to pay for it and technological obstacles. This article by Kaiser Health News describes some barriers which prevent widespread adoption of teledentistry.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ advises the CDC and has provided interim recommendations for allocation of initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccine. This report provides interim guidance, that aims to inform federal, state, and local jurisdictions in planning and implementing the COVID-19 vaccination program

This article describes support for dental coverage in Medicaid programs, including the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund, and actions designed to reward dentists who accept Medicaid. It also discusses the use of teledentistry to address gaps in access to care and state Medicaid teledentistry guidance in response to COVID-19.

This article by the ADA discusses a new flowchart with guidance to follow if a staff member or someone in their household tests positive for COVID-19.

The ADA COVID-19 State Mandates and Recommendations webpage is an interactive map where dentists and dental societies can identify regulations, recommendations, and mandates regarding the practice of dentistry in their respective states during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The US Department of the Treasury website has a number of resources related to the CARES Act, providing assistance for state, local, and tribal governments.

A white paper by DentaQuest titled “Fast-Track to Teledentistry” discusses teledentistry as a means of removing barriers to care.