Survey Reveals Confidence Lacking Regarding COVID-Related Changes

Medicaid dental providers face a confidence gap in their ability to implement COVID-19-related changes so they can safely serve adults and children in the most vulnerable communities, according to a DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement report, “Dental Care’s New Normal: Provider Survey Reveals the Need to Adapt and Redesign.”

After dental offices reopened for elective procedures, practitioners recognized the need to implement new protocols to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. However, the report identifies a gap between what providers say they need to do to reduce risk, and their level of confidence they can successfully implement those changes. Approximately 4000 dentists in 35 states and the District of Columbia completed the survey.

While 65% of providers agree their practice should reduce the spread of aerosols, only half (50%) were confident they could do so. In regard to personal protective equipment (PPE), 94% agreed they should secure additional PPE, but only 59% were confident in their ability to acquire adequate supplies. While 65% of respondents agree it is important to perform fewer aerosol-generating procedures, only 55% are confident they can do so.

From Decisions in Dentistry. September 2020;6(8):8.