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COVID-19 closure order for California from July 13 does not impact dental practices

Monday Gov. Gavin Newsom took an additional step to slow the transmission of COVID-19 by closing indoor operations for many business sectors throughout much of the state.

At this time, these restrictions do not affect the provision of essential health care services, including dental care.

Dentists are advised to continue to adhere closely to CDPH guidance, including the recommendation to have two weeks of PPE available, and to access CDA’s Back-to-Practice Resource Center for training, checklists and other tools to support dental practice during the pandemic.

(07/14/2020)
by From CDA

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/resources/CaliforniaDentalAssociation

Views: 1,600
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What is dental school like under the stay-at-home order?

Get to know CDA’s July Student Spotlight, Jose Acevedo from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC class of 2023.

What is dental school like under the stay-at-home order?

Our education has changed drastically due to the unprecedented crisis. Teaching has been conducted remotely and on digital platforms. Our summer trimester was supposed to be heavier on the preclinical aspect, and we were transitioning into more hands-on courses such as periodontics and indirect restorations. It has been difficult learning how to prep a crown through Zoom, but it has given us more time to fully understand the concept. I trust that once we are back to sim lab, we will be able to apply those concepts and overcome these challenges with the guidance of our experienced faculty.

Has the pandemic changed your career plans?

My career aspirations have not changed due to the pandemic. It is very difficult to predict what the future holds for dentistry, but no change will deter me from continuing to pursue my passion. Dental professionals are needed now more than ever. Many people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and without insurance, people will be searching for more affordable dental care.

What has been your favorite dental school moment or experience so far?

Despite only being in my third trimester of dental school, I’ve had many memorable experiences. My favorite experience thus far has been visiting a community in my home country, Mexico, to provide dental care to those in need. I had the opportunity to provide dental cleanings and oral hygiene instructions to children from lower-income households. I believe that educating patients on preventive care will leave a strong, lasting impact that will empower these communities to improve their oral health. It has been a rewarding, yet emotional experience as I was finally able to give back to the same communities where I grew up.

What made you interested in dentistry?

Growing up in rural Mexico, oral health was not a priority, and it was not until we were in the United States that I made my first visit to the dentist. I didn’t know the language. It was foreign to me and I was frightened. I remember not being able to communicate with the doctor to explain all the discomfort I was having. He explained what he was doing and guided me through the process, making it less frightening. The dentist helped me overcome my fear and therefore created a meaningful doctor-patient relationship ― one that would impact my decision to pursue a career in the dental field years later.

Click on link for the full interview.

(07/09/2020)
by California Dental Association

More Information: https://www.cda.org/Home/News-and-Events/Newsroom/Article-Details/july-student-spotlight-2

Views: 1,469
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CDA is urging dentists to contact their dental plans to stress the need for financial relief that will help sustain dental practices in the new COVID-19 environment.

As California dental offices are resuming preventive care amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the obligation to implement new safety protocols and provide additional PPE to protect staff and patients has become a financial burden. CDA is aware that members are searching for ways to offset the rising cost of maintaining a clean and safe environment, which may include charging patients a new infection control fee. While CDA continues to advocate for financial relief for members, the following guidance is recommended to help members navigate this growing issue.

Communicate with patients and consult dental plans about additional fees

While dentists have incurred additional PPE costs as the result of the COVID-19 crisis, it’s important to recognize that patients may also be incurring financial hardships due to job loss or reduction in hours, and potential loss of their dental benefits. Some dental practices have opted to alter their charged fees to account for the increased overhead costs due to PPE requirements, while others have opted to charge a flat fee.

Regardless of how a dentist decides to address the increased cost of care, we encourage educating patients about why this is occurring. For an overall increase in fees, it may be a brief statement to patients about the increasing cost of care. Charging a straight PPE charge may require more nuanced patient education and messaging to ensure patient retention.

Dentists who participate as contracted providers for dental plans will need to review the terms of their participation agreements as well as accompanying documents, such as their provider handbooks, or confirm if they are able to charge the plan or the patient a fee and how to obtain payment. Many plan contracts have limitations on charging additional administrative fees or costs that are to be presumed to be bundled in the existing cost of covered services.

Providers are advised to check the dental plan’s website and provider portal area for any plan communications that address how the plan may be assisting providers with PPE costs. The ADA offers a summary and guidance on billing for PPE as well a listing of the dental plans currently providing financial assistance during this time.

A dentist can submit a predetermination of the patient’s treatment plan and the PPE charges to the plan via the dental plan’s online portal to validate what the plan may pay for. Most dental plan contracts include the cost of PPE within the reimbursed amount to the dentist and may disallow participating providers from billing the patient for PPE in the event the plan denies the charge.

CDA’s Practice Support can assist members with general interpretation of their dental plan contracts, but it is not a legal analysis.

Maintain ethical practices

The ADA Code of Ethics advises that it is unethical for providers to only charge uninsured patients or only seek reimbursement for insured patients to address the surge in PPE costs, with the exception of Medicaid enrollees due to federal and state restrictions. The fee a provider charges a patient without insurance is considered the dentist’s full fee and should be represented to all third-party payers.

The CDA Code of Ethics provides similar guidance, noting that dentists have the obligation to bill for services in a manner that is not fraudulent or misleading. PPE surcharges cannot be billed subjectively, but must be applied to all patient visits, regardless of whether the patient is uninsured or whether a commercial dental benefit plan reimburses for the charge.

At this time, CDA recommends dentists do not charge additional PPE fees directly to patients covered by Medi-Cal. The state has not provided guidance on whether dentists can charge a separate PPE. It likely will not be considered a separate noncovered service, but required as part of covered services with the cost built into the current state maximum allowance fee. CDA is actively opposing draconian cuts to the existing Medi-Cal provider rates as well as pushing for the state to recognize the increased cost of PPE by providing a reimbursement as other state Medicaid programs have done.

Anti-gouging laws

If a PPE surcharge is appropriate for your practice, there are additional considerations when determining the amount you may charge patients. California anti-gouging law prohibits businesses, including dental practices, from raising the price of goods and services by more than 10% after an emergency is declared, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the global PPE shortage, providers are exempt from charging pre-COVID prices for PPE but should not charge more than 10% of the current market rate amount of the PPE supplies needed during a typical patient visit. 

CDA advocating for third-party reimbursement

Dental benefit plans, which have continued to collect millions in premiums from patients during the pandemic while dental offices were limited to emergency procedures, have a responsibility to share the high cost of additional PPE. CDA is advocating for state lawmakers to hold dental benefit plans accountable in sharing the new costs of extensive PPE without which dental care cannot be provided.

CDA is urging dentists to contact their dental plans to stress the need for financial relief that will help sustain dental practices in the new COVID-19 environment. Act now by sending a letter to your dental plan.

(06/09/2020)
by California Dental Association (CDA)

More Information: www.contactcda@cda.org

Views: 1,513
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Guidance from CDC, CDPH provide roadmap for dentists to resume care

As dentists continue their return to practice, official guidance from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health offers a roadmap for resuming dental care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many dentists were awaiting an update to the CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response. That update came May 19 to include recommendations for resuming deferred and preventive care, not just emergency care. The update includes important guidance for patient screening, facilities and equipment, disinfection and administrative controls, among other procedures.

For additional details on the  CDC’s updated interim guidance, watch the June 3 Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity webinar for key highlights.

The May 19 update from the CDC follows a similar update from the CDPH that was issued May 7. CDA is pleased to have both sets of guidance to provide specific recommendations that pave the way for dentists to safely resume care.

Following the latest from the CDC, CDPH will be reviewing its interim guidance to determine if adjustments are needed to align with the CDC recommendations. For example, the CDC guidance includes a specific recommendation to wait 15 minutes after the completion of clinical care and exit of each patient before beginning to clean and disinfect the operatory surfaces. CDPH is expected to revise its guidance only if it determines a need to do so.

(06/08/2020)
by California Dental Association (CDA)

More Information: https://www.cda.org/Home/News-and-Events/Newsroom/Article-Details/guidance-from-cdc-cdph-provide-roadmap-for-dentists-to-resume-care

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