*Editors note: This article has been updated to clarify some dental offices have remained open through the pandemic for emergency care. It also includes statements from OSHA clarifying employers ar enot automatically liable if an employee or patient contracts COVID-19 in dental practices.
Dental hygienists are expressing concern about what returning to work may look like as plans to reopen the state are discussed. Many of them have said it is not safe.
Dental workers all over the country have prepared themselves mentally. Some will be forced to go back or they will lose their jobs.
Some in Connecticut are terrified to go back and they reached out to FOX61 by email. Many were too afraid to reveal their identities for fear of being fired.
One dental hygienist told FOX61 the up-close interaction with patients - even with a mask on is a big risk.
"Anyone who’s had their teeth cleaned - we are about six inches from your face for most of an hour. And in between patients, are we going to have three hours in between patients for that air to get out of the room? The room I work in doesn’t have any windows."
According to OSHA, the highest risk is among those who use aerosol procedures or collecting specimen from patients who are asymptomatic.
One anonymous hygienist told FOX61 that OSHA mandated employers would be liable if employees contracted the virus on the job, the same information appeared on a popular dental industry website, but OSHA tells FOX61 that is not true.
This statement is untrue. OSHA has not mandated that any employer is automatically liable if an employee or patient contracts COVID-19 while undergoing dental treatment.
Rather, OSHA has provided extensive guidance to Dental offices about how to protect workers from COVID-19 infection in the workplace.
Until more is known about how COVID-19 spreads, OSHA recommends using a combination of standard precautions, contact precautions, and droplet precautions, including eye protection (e.g., goggles or face shields), to protect dentistry workers performing patient care that does not involve aerosol-generating procedures* on individuals without suspected or confirmed COVID-19. In emergency situations when workers have exposure to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, and anytime when performing aerosol-generating procedures, use standard precautions, contact precautions, airborne precautions, and eye protection (e.g., goggles or face shields) to protect dentistry workers.
OSHA's recommended infection prevention methods, including for personal protective equipment (PPE) ensembles, help employers to remain in compliance with the agency’s standards for Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030), Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134) and other PPE (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I).
Employers are and will continue to be responsible for providing a workplace free of known health and safety hazards. OSHA’s standards remain in place and enforceable, and they will continue to be as workers return to their workplaces. Visit the Dentistry Workers and Employers section on OSHA’s COVID-19 webpage for more information.
Looking for answers
While one anonymous hygienist commended Governor Lamont's efforts in keeping the state safe, she said she still has not gotten a direct answer from him.
"Anytime it has been brought up during his press conference and I’ve watched them all, it gets swept under the rug."
Our very own Jenn Bernstein raised the concern to the governor earlier this week.
"Well that is incredibly complicated, obviously dentistry, for example, the nature of what type of mask, N-95 may be required. So we are taking a cautious look and again we’re talking to the dentistry association getting the very best ideas we can in terms of how we can do this safely," said Gov. Ned Lamont.
An orthodontic assistant who also wanted to remain anonymous said the lack of PPE makes her nervous.
"I know there is a short supply of PPE, I know eventually we are going to get it, but even with the proper PPE, there's still a lot of health concerns."
A faculty member at the UConn School of Dental Medicine took matters into his own hands using 3-D printing to make respirators and face coverings.
However, the pandemic has caused a delay in receiving their materials to make them.
A letter dated Tuesday was posted on the Connecticut State Dental Association's website, advising dental workers to revise their habits once they go back.
"In a dental office, everybody works in a closed setting so there is no ability to social distance."
Practices like Vernon Family Dentists told patients they have already come up with a list of safety guidelines such as increasing the use of disinfectants, wearing face masks, and to show up to appointments alone.
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