Emergency Treatment Guidelines

For new CDC guidance for dental practices as of August 28, 2020, click here.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, many states have introduced guidelines that only allow for “dentistry essential – emergency only” treatments and procedures. This includes Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia (only until April 24). In order to stay up-to-date on this fluid situation, we recommend checking the ADA’s map of state mandates and recommendations – you can find that here.

In order to determine what is a dental emergency, the ADA advises that dentists should use their professional judgement in making that determination. However, the following guidance from the ADA should be helpful:

  • Dental emergencies are potentially life-threatening and require treatment to stop ongoing soft tissue bleeding, alleviate severe pain, and include:
    • Uncontrolled bleeding
    • Cellulitis or a diffuse soft tissue bacterial infection with intra-oral or extra-oral swelling that potentially compromise the patient’s airway
    • Trauma involving facial bones, potentially compromising the patient’s airway.

For additional guidance, please consult the ADA’s tip sheet on what constitutes a dental emergency here. Additionally, the ADA has supplied practices with a flowchart that outlines the steps to triage patients prior to seeing them in the practice – you can find that here. States and jurisdictions will continue to update their requirements, it is best to follow your respective state Boards:

COVID-19 Updates and Resources: