Ohio Dental Association supports state’s recommendations to delay elective dental procedures

For immediate release
March 17, 2020

Ohio Dental Association supports state’s recommendations to delay elective dental procedures

Ohio Dental Association president Dr. Sharon Parsons, a general dentist from Columbus, issued the following statement today:

“We fully support the state’s recommendations to delay elective dental procedures and follow additional protections in the dental office. These steps will preserve personal protective equipment for use in coronavirus testing and treatment and limit exposure to the virus. We strongly urge all Ohio dentists to follow these guidelines in order to assist the state in addressing this public health emergency and to protect the citizens of Ohio. We are also urging any dentists who have excess PPE to share it with their local emergency management agency. Ohio dentists will remain available to treat patients with dental emergencies so that they do not present at hospital emergency rooms at a time when our hospitals are focusing on this public health crisis. While we recognize the hardship these recommendations will cause for Ohio’s dentists, their families and staff, we know these steps are necessary to help Ohio get though this emergency situation.”

The Ohio Dental Association represents more than 5,000 member dentists, nearly 70 percent of the state’s licensed dentists. ODA member dentists provide more than $40 million in donated care and services annually, and they are bound by the highest ethical standards and have access to superior ongoing education, training and resources.

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Contact: David Owsiany, ODA executive director
Phone: (614) 486-2700
Email: david@oda.org