Thank you for your efforts to help promote safe and speedy reopening of dentistry in Maine. Yesterday I outlined some efforts that you could use to increase awareness of our frustrating and unique situation. If you have not yet done so, please spend some time reaching out to your local representatives.

 

There is currently no plan on the national level to update CDC guidelines. Unless we are content to wait indefinitely for them to update this now outdated guidance we must act locally.

 

Dr. Heather Keeling, Vice President of MDA, chaired a task force that was  comprised of dentists and hygienists as well as representatives from EFDA and denturism. The task force has produced a potential road map to guide dental settings in meeting minimum guidance to reopen. This road map was developed by the task force for Maine DHHS to offer a potential alternative to CDC guidance. It was also sent to the Maine Board of Dental Practice, which they reviewed at their meeting today. 

 

We hope that DHHS or the Board of Dental Practice may use this road map in the future. It could serve as the "local guidance" that the CDC document mentions in our efforts to reopen safely. It is not available for the public as it is not currently accepted by DHHS and may cause confusion should it become public.

 

We now have an online petition. Please take a moment to sign it. You may share it on social media, or other methods of reaching out to your community.

Continue to source your PPE, train your employees, and be an advocate for the safe re-opening of dentistry in Maine.