Friday, May 1, 2020
To our fellow hygienists,
Per the recommendations issued by the NC State Board of Dental Examiners on April 28, 2020, regarding
providing dental services during the COVID-19 state of emergency, NCDHA has been proactively collaborating
with numerous state leaders on how to best achieve guidance. It is the recommendation of the NCDHA
Executive Board that all hygienists read and understand the updated ADA Return to Work Interim Guidance
Toolkit, as well as the CDC and OSHA recommendations when returning to work. We strongly advise each
hygienist to have an open and non-confrontational discussion, as needed, with their employers/teams about their
concerns and to create a plan for reopening in the best interest of the health and safety of our patients and
employees.
Dentistry was and still remains an essential workforce during the pandemic, as identified by Governor Cooper
in Executive Order #121 and therefore never mandated offices to close, just as he has not mandated us to reopen
during a specific phase. As an essential workforce, each office made the decision to follow the guidelines of the
CDC and ADA to temporarily halt “elective” procedures. The statement from the Dental Board was to reinforce
that the standard of care has changed and that PPE requirements have changed. Once offices have a strategy that
their employees feel comfortable with, along with appropriate PPE and with patient care in mind, they are free
to reopen whenever they choose, as they have been free to do all along.
The wording of the Dental Board’s statement was specific and targeted regarding the OSHA, ADA, and CDC
guidelines for patient care/safety and employee health protections are to be followed as referenced. It is not
business as usual, it is the new way of practicing dentistry. NCDHA supports the board's statement "failure to
follow heightened infection control, sterilization, and patient safety recommendations may be viewed as a
failure to meet the standard of care necessary for offering treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic."
We understand your concerns and hear all the questions being asked. Ensuring your safety as a hygienist and
the environment in which you will be working is the safest and healthiest place for you to be is our utmost
priority. If you continue to have specific concerns regarding your return to work, please feel free to reach out to
us at info@ncdha.org and we will do our best to address your individual concerns. We will continue to update
all resources and guidelines available at www.ncdha.org.

Heather Edly, RDH, BSPH, CHES
President

Lori Hendrick, MS, CDA, CDT, RDH
President-Elect

Brigette Easter, RDH, BS
Vice President

Melissa McLain, RDH, CDA
Secretary

Sommer Wisher, RDH, BS
Immediate Past President

Kristy Wieder, RDH
Treasurer