COVID-19 Updates:

We have received a few inquiries regarding COVID-19 vaccination eligibility for the Oregon State Denturists.

Please see the below oregon.gov link for COVID-19 information. Included also is a link to Oregon’s Phase 1a Vaccine Sequencing Plan, which has presently been implemented.

Please note that it appears that Denturists would fall into the group 4 category outpatient care.

It is our understanding that individuals may find it helpful to contact their local county health departments to assist them in this process.

govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19

Oregon COVID-19 Vaccine Sequencing Plan

Governor Kate Brown today announced that she will be lifting her order delaying non-urgent procedures for health care providers, as long as they can demonstrate they have met new requirements for COVID-19 safety and preparedness. Hospitals, surgical centers, medical offices, and dental offices that meet those requirements will be able to resume non-urgent procedures on May 1.

Framework for Restarting Non-Emergent and Elective Procedures in Medical and Dental Offices

Visit this link for more info…

Dear OSDA members,

The Oregon State Denturist Association, upon following the advice from Oregon Health Authority, is unable to provide guidance to licensees and business/facility owners regarding the decision to close your business/facility or to remain open during the COVID-19 state of emergency. All businesses are urged to assess their practices, implement strong social distancing measures, and close their doors temporarily if they cannot put the new guidance in place.

Per new guidance mandated by the Governor’s Executive Order effective March 23-June 15, 2020:

No later than March 23, 2020, all elective and non-urgent procedures across all care settings that utilize PPE, including but not limited to, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient clinics (including community health clinics and student health centers), dental clinics, and veterinary clinics shall be cancelled, or rescheduled no earlier than June 15, 2020, for the purpose of conserving and redirecting PPE for the state’s COVID-19 emergency response. A procedure or surgery is exempt from the limitations set forth in paragraph l (a) of this Executive Order if a three-month delay in the procedure or surgery would put the patient at risk of irreversible harm. Criteria for determining whether irreversible harm exists include but are not limited to: (1) threat to the patient’s life; (2) threat of irreversible harm to the patient’s physical or mental health; (3) threat of permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ system; (4) risk of metastasis or progression of staging; and (5) risk of rapidly worsening to severe symptoms (time sensitive).

Individual business owner must use his or her best professional judgement in determining what constitutes urgent care. Click here to find the ADA’s recommendations defining their emergency, non-urgent, and urgent care procedures along with examples. These criteria may be helpful in your treatment considerations. We are asking all Denturists to keep the health and safety of Oregonians at the forefront as they make these hard business decisions.  Please continue to closely and carefully monitor the situation and make an informed decision on behalf of your clients, your staff and yourself.

Visit this link for the latest updates and guidance as the information is changing rapidly.

The following are suggestions and guidelines provided to assist you in your decision to open or close, and in practicing within the direction from the State:

1. development of a COVID screening questionnaire asking the following questions: (If the answer is “yes” to any of the following questions, access to the facility will be denied.). Have you returned from any countries listed by CDC as Level 2 or Level 3 risks within the last 14 days? Have you had close contact with or cared for someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days? Have you experienced any cold or flu-like symptoms in the last 14 days (to include fever, cough, sore throat, respiratory illness, difficulty breathing)?
2. Development of an Urgent Care questionnaire.
3. Closure of lobby areas and implementing curbside waiting area. Patients remain in their vehicles until appointed time.
4. Patients in need of care would should be prescreened, informed of new procedures and accessed to determine the urgency of their care via telephone prior to their arrival.
5. Patients are escorted while entering and exiting the building. Have staff insist on the opening and closing of doorways.
6. Social distancing measures be strictly enforced within the office.
7. Strict disinfecting procedures be maintained for each visitor in the office, including but not limited to: wiping down all entrances and exits, countertops etc.. between each pt.
8. Removal of all non-essential items from lobby or clinical areas; books, magazines, brochures, dental or implant models, etc….
9. Insist that each patient sanitize or wash their hands prior to and after treatment.
10. Take a temperature reading prior to treatment.
11. Handle revenue transactions and return visit appointments from within the operatories to prevent patients being in the lobby area or offer to have your office manager or receptionist complete these items with a phone call.
12. If patients are seeking a repair only, attempt to handle this procedure while the patient waits in their car and only invite into the office if necessary.
13. Limit the number of patients seen to maintain social distancing.
14. Any staff member with underlying health conditions or who has a member of their household who has underlying conditions should stay home.
15. Unless patient needs to have extra assistance by another individual to facilitate their visit, request that they come to their care appointment alone.

The OSDA understands the stress we are all facing and are aware that our members are looking for guidance on how to continue giving service. Please understand that the board is doing the best we can. We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to provide the latest information and offer assistance where possible during this unprecedented situation.

Chris Chapman
OSDA President

Good morning,

Above is the overview for the current Senate bill that offers non-recourse SBA loans for your consideration. These are guaranteed loans with no fees, and it appears that they will be forgiven if you provide the necessary documentation.

Please read this thoroughly and pass along to your colleagues so that everybody gets this important information if you haven’t received it already.

Thank you again for your tremendous support to the OSDA, and God bless each of you at this trying time.

Chris Chapman

Several  of the Association members have been submitting these links as options in meeting your CE requirements. Please be reminded that OHA is allowing any study that pertains to our profession. Please see the Continuing Education Self Study Verification Form