When performing or involved with aerosol-generating procedures (open suctioning of airways, sputum induction and others), dental health care personnel should continue to wear NIOSH-approved N95, N95-equivalent or higher-level respirators.
California’s COVID-19 Prevention regulation is no longer in effect. However, Cal/OSHA can use the injury and illness prevention program and aerosol transmissible disease regulation to cite an employer who has not taken reasonable steps, such as screening patients and requiring the use of respirators during procedures that aerosolize saliva and other potentially infectious materials, to prevent the transmission of aerosol transmissible diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Infection Control Guidance: SARS-CoV-2 provides guidance on the use of N95s and other safety measures for health care workers. The included FAQ lists all procedures considered to be aerosol generating in health care settings. CDA’s quick chart on PPE requirements can assist dental offices with the initial N95 fit test required for each employee who wears an N95.
04/03/23 update: While N95s still must be worn during aerosol-generating procedures, as of today, face masks are now optional in California for patients and visitors, as well as workers not performing clinical procedures in dental offices and other health care settings. The guidance follows Gov. Newsom’s termination on Feb. 28 of California’s pandemic State of Emergency. However, patients, visitors and nonclinical workers always have the option to wear a face mask or respirator and cannot be prevented from doing so.
CDPH recommends that any individual with respiratory symptoms, such as a cough, wear a mask when around others. Dental offices should consider posting signage that reflects their mask policy for patients and visitors.
CDA members can save on N95s and other infection-control supplies through TDSC.com, a company founded and partially owned by CDA.