The California Dental Association and American Dental Association strongly disagree with the World Health Organization’s Aug. 3 guidance advising that routine non-essential oral health care, including oral health check-ups, dental cleanings and preventive care, be delayed.
The WHO provides guidance worldwide, and its recent document “Considerations for the provision of essential oral health services in the context of COVID-19” is not specific to California. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California Department of Public Health and CDA Practice Support provide resources and tools to help dental teams practice safely during the pandemic.
Based on federal, state and local guidance, dental practices in California are open to provide routine and preventive care.
