Dear MDDS member,

Two key things for all of us during these uncertain times are going to be collaboration and information.

We want you to know that we are working together with the ADA, CDA, CDPHE, the Trust and all our dental community partners to get you as much information and as many resources as possible. We particularly want to thank the CDA for their leadership role and for the open and frequent communications they’ve facilitated.

Unfortunately, dentistry is one of the highest risk groups for possible spread of the COVID-19 from patient to doctor or team since the virus is contained in oral fluids. Because of this reality, it is being recommended by the ADA that only emergent dental care be performed for the next three weeks and that any elective, non-emergent procedures be delayed until that time (hopefully). While currently a recommendation from the ADA, it has also become a mandate in a number of states.

We know there is some confusion about how the timeline was determined as a number of states had recommended two weeks in the last few days. Hopefully, more will be known soon about how the ADA arrived at this recommendation in the coming days. We suggest looking at the ADA Coronavirus FAQ section as many questions may be answered there.

Now with President Trump recommending a fifteen day stay at home plan and Governor Polis announcing a thirty day restriction on restaurants, gyms and other large gathering areas, we need to take the ADA’s recommendation seriously. That having been said, the liability pertaining to not following these guidelines is not yet known. We are working with the Trust and their legal team to try to get clarity.

We assume that many of you are already aware of conversations going on around paid leave. There is currently federal legislation working its way through Congress but we don’t know yet the final form it will take. We are keeping an eye on these developments and will let you know more once we know more.

Dentistry, like every other part of society, is going to feel the impact of this situation both financially and in how we do our daily work. Also, like with every other part of our society we need to join together to do what is in the best interest of our patients and community.

We want to reassure you that MDDS is always working for you. We will continue to collaborate with our partners in dentistry and will share as much information as possible as soon as we have it.

Remember, we are stronger together.

Your MDDS Officers,

Dr. Nelle Barr, President
Dr. Kevin Patterson, President-elect
Dr. Pat Prendergast, Treasurer
Dr. Janie Boyesen, Secretary