ADA president appoints task force for dental practice recovery after COVID-19 pandemic

Dr. Gehani

American Dental Association President Chad P. Gehani has assembled an advisory task force to oversee the ADA's development of tools for dentists as they bounce back from the effects of practice restrictions and closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The COVID-19 crisis has had a challenging impact on our dental community. Yet, the strength of our profession has never been more evident — for now, we may be distant, but we are not disconnected," Dr. Gehani said in an April 14 letter to ADA councils and committees and dental society executive directors. "While we guide dentistry through these trying times, the American Dental Association also has its eye on what will come next."

The ADA's Advisory Task Force on Dental Practice Recovery, which began meeting in April, has the overall goal of helping dentists get back to serving their communities while protecting patients, office staff and themselves.

Dr. Liddell

The task force is comprised of practicing dentists with support from ADA experts in science, practice, law, regulation and other key areas. The co-chairs are Drs. Rudy Liddell, chair of the ADA Council on Dental Practice, and Kirk M. Norbo, 16th District trustee.

The ADA issued an interim recommendation April 1 that advised dentists to keep their offices closed to all but urgent and emergency procedures until April 30 at the earliest, keeping in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation to perform only urgent and emergency dental care.

"Our community is in it together as we navigate these trying times," Dr. Gehani said. "And as dental practices reopen their doors and our colleagues get back on their feet, we will be in it together still."

Dr. Norbo

For COVID-19 resources from the ADA, visit the ADA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Center for Dentists.