The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has issued the attached COVID-19 guidance for dental offices. This guidance further explains Governor Cuomo's executive order 202.8 that limited dental offices to providing emergency dental services. NYSDOH has explained the parameters of what are considered emergency services in New York. Please refer to this NYSDOH guidance document as your primary reference source on what dentists can do through April 19, 2020.
The American Dental Association and the New York State Dental Association have also recommended that dentists postpone elective procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist in “flattening the curve” of the spread of the disease.
At this time, we do not know what the statewide spread of the virus will be in April or what the availability of personal protective equipment will be, which will impact the Governor’s decision to extend or lift executive order 202.8. NYSDA will be working with the Governor and NYSDOH to recommend a course of action that will protect you, your staff, and your patients. The NYSDOH guidance was shared and reviewed with NYSDA, and represents the considered public health expert recommendations in New York as to how to define currently allowable procedures in dental offices under executive order 202.8. Dentists should use their professional clinical judgment in evaluating those cases they consider urgent. If there is any clinical uncertainty as to the NYSDOH guidance on urgent dental care, both NYSDA and the ADA have clinical experts available to provide assistance to members. Also attached is an ADA guidance on urgent care..