COVID-19 Update
May 1, 2020
WE ARE NOT OPEN YET…

While several counties in Northern California have opted to allow dental offices to begin seeing non-emergency patients, San Francisco’s Shelter in Place is extended to May 31 and also extends a provision “restricting most routine appointments... (p.19)”. Under this shelter-in-place order, dental offices are able to provide emergency and urgent care only. Returning to routine care is just around the corner, though we are not there yet!

We encourage San Francisco dentists to use this time to access the ADA Toolkit and the soon-to-be-released CDA Toolkit, to “triage” your practices – layout, flow, PPE, supplies, communicating with your dental team about changes and processes, etc., as you prepare for return to routine care once San Francisco dentists receive the green-light in San Francisco and the CDPH has issued updated practice guidelines (any day now) for dentistry. The shortage of PPE is also a limiting factor to consider in evaluating when California practices will be able to return to routine care.

Additionally, the State Dental Director strongly recommends, along with CDA, that dentists follow CDC and CDPH ’ s guidance until further clarifications are made available next week.  

As essential healthcare providers, we want to thank SFDS member dentists for continuing to provide emergency care to your patients during this crisis – we know this has been a difficult time and I am moved by how dentists in San Francisco have responded. 
SF Essential Business Social Distancing Protocol

As a reminder, Essential Businesses under the Social Distancing Protocol Order need to Implement the Social Distancing Protocol .  To comply, post the completed form along with a Notice to Patients and Employees entering the Building/Office. Additionally, a copy of the Social Distancing Protocol must also be provided to each employee performing work at the office/facility. All Essential Businesses shall implement the Social Distancing Protocol and “provide evidence of its implementation to any authority enforcing this Order upon demand.” 
 
  • Fill out the updated (4/29/2020) attached fillable Social Distancing Protocol PDF form
  • Provide the form to each employee
  • Post the Notice to Patients and Employees and the Social Distancing Protocol at your entrance for easy view
  • Post it near the entrance to your office in easy view
  • Be able to provide the completed Social Distancing Protocol document to any enforcing authority who may ask to see it
Financial Recovery

With the PPP 2nd round funding already depleted, another option to consider is the Employee Retention Tax Credit. For more, visit the IRS Employee Retention Credit Information page.
N95 Fit Testing Requirements Resource Now Available

The N95 fit testing requirements resource, which summarizes the Cal/OSHA requirements, is now available on cda.org.
What are YOU doing?

Dr. Sandy Shih is using this time to ready her practice for a return to the new un-normal, preparing documents and OSHA training protocols for her team. She shared the following that she thought would be of value to you, her colleagues: 

What are YOU doing that is interesting, fun or different during this Shelter in Place?  Have you read an interesting book that your colleagues would enjoy? Give us a quick 4-5 sentence highlight, the title and author. What about a gardening or sewing project? Send us a picture. A favorite or interesting blog post? Share the link.
Delta Dental of CA Announces Financial Relief Program for Dentists

The ADA News reports Delta Dental of California “ announced April 27 the details of a $200 million loan program that will provide economic assistance and post-COVID-19 pandemic relief for its independent provider network in 15 states and the District of Columbia." For more information from Delta Dental, click here .
Quick-links from the SFDS COVID-19 News Page
SFDS


CDA


ADA


OSHA Guidelines


Other Helpful Links