CDA and ADA strongly disagree with the World Health Organization’s Aug. 3 guidance advising that routine non-essential oral health care, including oral health check-ups, dental cleanings and preventive care, be delayed. 

The WHO provides guidance worldwide, and its recent document “Considerations for the provision of essential oral health services in the context of COVID-19” is not specific to California. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California Department of Public Health and CDA Practice Support provide resources and tools to help dental teams practice safely during the pandemic.

The American Dental Association released the following statement regarding WHO’s recommendation to delay routine care:  

The American Dental Association (ADA) respectfully yet strongly disagrees with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation to delay “routine” dental care in certain situations due to COVID-19. 

“Oral health is integral to overall health. Dentistry is essential health care,” states ADA President Chad P. Gehani, D.D.S. “Dentistry is essential health care because of its role in evaluating, diagnosing, preventing or treating oral diseases, which can affect systemic health.”