Dentists are preparing to resume elective surgeries in May, but the experience may be different from what you’re used to.
Immediate Past President of the Nebraska Dental Association, Dr. Ken Tusha, says new guidelines will include increased training for staff, eliminating patient to patient contact and taking patients temperatures.
“It’s going to be a different world and a new normal,” said Tusha.
Tusha says the guidelines were created by the association and reviewed by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Board of Dentistry.
He stresses that the document it “living’ and will be updated as health officials receive more information on the virus.
“Dentistry went through an episode like this in the 80s with the AIDS crisis,” said Tusha. “Rest assured, we got this.”
Dentists, hospitals and veterinarians will be able to conduct elective surgeries beginning May 4th.
The Nebraska Restaurant Association is also publishing best practices during the pandemic.
Executive Director of the Nebraska Restaurant Association Zoe Olsen recommends that the guidelines and a print-out of the latest directed health measure be displayed outside restaurants along with the Nebraska promise.
“It’s the promise that your Nebraska restaurants are making to you, our guests,” said Olson. ” But also there’s a part for our guests to make a promise to us. And the promise that you’re making to us is that you will not come into our restaurants, into our dining rooms, if you are showing any symptoms.”
The recommendations are being made as restaurants in certain counties prepare to reopen their dining areas under new, state-issued directed health measure algo going into effect May 4th.