Dental teams should consider what steps to take if a patient refuses to comply with the practice's increased safety precautions. These recommendations can help practice owners and their teams prepare for difficult conversations and effectively de-escalate tension with uncooperative patients.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Aug. 4 updated its guidance for dental settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The IRS has issued guidance to employers on how to report the amount of qualified emergency sick and family leave wages paid to employees under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

CDA Practice Support has received several inquiries from members seeking guidance on what to do if an employee is diagnosed with the virus, is experiencing symptoms or has been exposed to the virus.

 As dental teams prioritize new protocols in the office to ensure the safety and comfort among staff and patients in the COVID era, recent data shows that some patients are hesitant to return to the dentist so soon. The following tips can help with rebuilding trust and increasing your patients’ comfort levels about returning to the dentist.

As dentists and dental teams have returned to practice over the last month, some offices are noticing tension among team members that comes with getting back to patient care during a global pandemic.

Countless protections are in place to safeguard our private financial data. In the dental office, data encryption, anti-virus software and firewalls are the go-to preventative measures, not to mention the classic lock-and-key methods for securing hardware and other items of value. Unfortunately, smart thieves can, and have, found ways to outwit many of the most advanced security systems.

Does your team have the tools it needs to practice safely? The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health sets and enforces standards that address injury and illness prevention, hazard communication, permissible exposure levels and much more. But, it’s each dental practice owner’s responsibility to apply these standards through consistent protocols, clear communication and trusted supplies.

Will your practice be in compliance in 2020? Multiple state and federal agencies are charged with regulating dental practices, and it can seem challenging to stay ahead of regulatory compliance processes. As you shop and prepare for the year ahead, it’s critical to be informed of environmental regulations that impact your practice.