18 Mar 2020
COVID-19 Resources
Updated: 3.27.2020
Personal Protective and Medical Equipment Intake Form
Executive Order 109
Dear Doctors,
As you know PPE supplies are in demand by hospitals and first responders.
Below is a link for you to inventory and/or donate supplies that can help save lives.
Thank you for all your support!
https://covid19.nj.gov/ppereport
The NJAGD wishes to notify its members of the most recent guidance relating to COVID-19 outbreak. The NJAGD and AGD continue to monitor COVID-19 and work to identify resources and information that are useful to our members. Our team is working with federal agencies and legislators to advocate for policies that support general dentists, focusing on issues related to delivering patient care and managing your practice.
For the most updated information on measures in NJ, please visit the Department of Health website (https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_professionals.shtml) as well as the AGD website (https://www.agd.org/coronavirus). Read the message from AGD President, Dr. Connie White at (https://www.agd.org/publications-and-news/this-week-at-agd/this-week-at-agd-detail/2020/03/16/supporting-each-other-during-this-global-pandemic).
MedPro collected a number of resources from authoritative organizations — including dental-focused resources — that provide strategies and infection prevention information related to COVID-19:
- Academy of General Dentistry: COVID-19 Information
- American Dental Association: Infectious Diseases in the News: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- American Dental Hygienists Association: Coronavirus Information for Dental Hygienists
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) — Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): What dental practitioners need to know
- ECRI Institute: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Outbreak Preparedness Center
- Smart Training: Coronavirus (COVID-19) (training module for dental practices)
- World Health Organization: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
Additional resources:
- CDC State and Territorial Health Department
- CDC Developing Guidance Regarding Responding to COVID-19 in Dental Settings
- CDC Situational Updates
- CDC Healthcare Professional Resources – COVID-19
- CDC Fact Sheet and Handouts
- USPHS CDO Newsletter # 46 – March 14 2020 (COVID-19 and Dental Practice: A Message from the CDC Division of Oral Health)
- Surgical Mask & Gown Conservation Strategies — Letter to Healthcare Providers
- Transmission routes of 2019-nCoV and controls in dental practice (International Journal of Oral Science)
STEPS TO STOP THE TRANSMISSION
Places of employment, including dental facilities, may be ideal for the spread of disease. Below are recommendations for how to stop transmission:
- Communication with patients and employees
- Provide training on occupational safety and health (OSHA training) that includes infection prevention, to all new employees and annual training to all employees.
- Review the proper use and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) for all employees.
- The dental team should advise patients and staff who are experiencing acute respiratory illness, including symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, to remain home and reschedule appointments.
- Emphasize staying home when sick, proper respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene for all employees:
- Place posters that encourage correct cough/sneeze etiquette as well as proper hand hygiene at the entrance to your workplace.
- Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees and patients.
- Instruct employees to clean/disinfect their hands between patients with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol. Soap and water should be utilized preferentially if hands are visibly contaminated and must always be used before eating and after toileting
- Provide soap and water as well as alcohol-based hand rubs in multiple locations throughout the workplace.
- Advise employees to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
- Perform environmental surface cleaning and disinfection:
- It appears that the coronavirus may live on hard surfaces, at room temperature, for up to several days.
- Provide disposable disinfectant wipes so that commonly used surfaces (e.g. doorknobs, keyboards, armrests, remote controls, countertops, desks, etc.) may be decontaminated.
No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning and disinfection is recommended at this time.