Were your patients hesitant to return to your office and has patient activity rebounded ?
“ Obviously , the PDA doesn ’ t treat patients . However , it has been interesting that many – “ Obviously , the PDA doesn ’ t treat patients . However , it has been interesting that many – though not all – of the vendors with whom PDA deals who would normally come to the office have expressed little reluctance to do so as soon as there were no Commonwealth prohibitions against it .”
Ward Blackwell , PDA Executive Director
“ Some patients were , and still are , a bit hesitant to return , but the vast majority of patients appreciate the extra precautions we are taking to ensure a safe environment . In my office , patient activity has rebounded nicely in 2021 after a somewhat slower return in the second half of 2020 . Patients appreciate the fact that we were all vaccinated early in the year .”
Dr . Charles Incalcaterra , PDA Immediate Past President
“ My office did not experience any hesitancy on the part of our patients .” Dr . James Mancini
“ Some patients were hesitant at first , and a few never returned , but now , a year later , most things are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels of care .” Dr . Michael Parenti
“ I know there was hesitancy with some patients , but most were so happy that we were open again and there to take care of their needs , even if it was just getting their teeth cleaned ! Although there are still some folks who have not returned , it seems like things have returned to pre-pandemic levels at our office .”
Dr . Steve Radack , Editor
“ Absolutely . Our parents are still very cautious , as they should be . Without vaccination of children , the current COVID-19 infection rate of 22 % for children may worsen . I would estimate that patient activity has rebounded to approximately 75-80 %. A few parents have opted not to follow DOH guidelines like wearing masks , social distancing , staying in their cars during their children ’ s appointments , not accompanying their children into treatment areas , and have opted to transfer their children from our practice . Overall , the response to protocols has been positive . We have been able to manage the dental emergencies during the shutdown of elective dental care well . I believe the overall response of PA pediatric dentists has been to unite us in thought , realizing that together we can accomplish more when we communicate with each other .”
Dr . Peter Ross , President , PAPD
October 19 – ADA House passes resolutions related to COVID-19 stating dentistry is essential health care and supporting vaccine administration and point-ofcare testing by dentists and the expansion of practice scope during public health emergencies .
November 20 – ADA urges CDC to prioritize vaccination of dentists and allow dentists to help vaccinate the public .
December 11 – U . S . Food & Drug Administration ( FDA ) issues emergency use authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine .
MAY / JUNE 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 23