Table 2.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for dental practices.^∗

AREA	RECOMMENDATION
General	Use screening tools to identify patients and staff members with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 Develop protocols to respond to exposures to infected people Implement universal source control strategies (gloves, face shield, gown, goggles, etc) Promote social distancing Adjust patient volume to avoid congregations in the waiting area Adopt effective infection control strategies Consider performing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 testing of symptomatic or asymptomatic patients
Work Practice	Consider postponing elective procedures, surgeries, and nonurgent outpatient visits Implement teledentistry and use triage protocols If aerosol-generating procedures are necessary, use 4-handed dentistry, high evacuation suction, and dental dams Consider using preprocedural mouthrinses with antimicrobial to minimize viral load
Physical Plant	Maintain ventilation systems Consult with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning specialist to understand air flow patterns and filtration efficiency, and enhance the percentage of outside air supply Consider using a portable high-efficiency particulate air filtration unit for patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures Consider supplanting air ventilation enhancements with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation
Personnel	Provide job- and task-specific education on infection control Educate on proper use of personal protective equipment Educate on the management of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19

^∗Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.⁵⁹