Interim Dental Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for the COVID‑19 Response – A New Paradigm
Introduction

In response to the COVID‑19 pandemic in the United States, in March, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommended that dental practices defer the delivery of non-emergent dental care and prioritize care delivery to address only urgent and emergency needs.^1,2 The intent of the guidance was to protect staff and preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and patient care supplies, as well as expand available hospital capacity to address the pandemic. However, as the pandemic continues to evolve, the need to address routine dental needs has grown. In response to this need, the CDC and ADA have developed interim guidelines for dental practices to deliver non-emergent dental care during the pandemic.^2,3