Dental practices across New York state reopened Monday for regular dental care like checkups and cleanings after being restricted to only emergency care for two months.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Sunday officially announced that New York dentists could reopen statewide the next day. Dentists’ offices will be subject to state guidance on best practices for safety and social distancing. That includes guidelines on keeping patients apart, use of facial coverings and other personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting of offices and equipment, and screening and testing of staff and patients.
The New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) cheered the news. “We are grateful that NYSDA’s advocacy efforts made a direct impact on the Governor’s decision to fully reopen your practices while achieving safety goals supported by both NYSDA and the New York Department of Health,” the association said in a note to members posted on its website on Sunday.