Today, the New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) Board of Trustees unanimously approved guidance to all member dentist practices addressing COVID-19.

“In recognition of the serious potential health hazard posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the need to take bold action to contain its spread, the New Jersey Dental Association Board of Trustees unanimously and strongly recommends that all New Jersey dentists and dental facilities practicing in New Jersey voluntarily suspend nonessential or nonurgent dental care for the next 14 days,” said Dr. Tom Rossi, NJDA President.

“During this extremely fluid public health crisis, we all need to remain vigilant and do our part to contain the spread of Coronavirus among our employees and patients, while treating patients who desperately need our services,” said Dr. Mitch Weiner, NJDA President-Elect.

“Dentists play a critical role our healthcare delivery system. Every day, thousands of New Jerseyans depend on the more than 8,000 NJ licensed dentists and their dental team members to deliver essential and emergent care. However, during this time, it is paramount that we remain vigilant and follow the recommendations and guidance of the CDC, U.S. Surgeon General and our State Government to limit the spread of COVID-19 while providing important healthcare to New Jerseyans,” Dr. Rossi stated.

“While closing your dental practice may be the best option for you, dentists making themselves available for essential and urgent care is imperative to reduce the burden on our state’s hospitals emergency departments, many of which are ill-equipped to properly treat dental emergencies,” Dr. Weiner commented.

The NJDA, along with many other, state and federal healthcare associations, are echoing the U.S. Surgeon General’s call to stop all elective, non-essential procedures immediately to reduce stress on the nation’s healthcare system and to follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance for Interim Infection Control measures, which can be found on the CDC’s website,” said Arthur Meisel, NJDA General Counsel and Executive Director.  For detailed information on CDC Guidance, click here.

Founded in 1870, the New Jersey Dental Association is the largest dental trade association in New Jersey supporting more than 4,500 member dentists and more than 3,000 dental practices.  Just as it did for its founding, the NJDA works to fulfill its mission of serving and supporting its members while fostering the advancement of quality, ethical oral healthcare for the public.