Dentists push back after new warning from WHO to delay routine dental checkups in areas where COVID is spreading

The latest in CDA and ADA’s response to the Aug. 3 guidance from the World Health Organization advising that routine non-essential oral health care be delayed.

In an Aug. 13 email to global leaders, WHO Chief Dental Officer Benoit Varenne, Ph.D., expressed his concerns about media coverage of the interim guidance.

“Unfortunately, a number of media headlines intentionally or not — when they are referring to the WHO guidance, did not mention that the recommendation to delay routine oral health care is only suggested in an intense uncontrolled community transmission scenario. A scenario that [does] not fit with the current situation of [most countries] around the world,” Dr. Varenne said. “So please be aware of the missing information sometimes disseminated by the media that could increase fear and concern of patients seeking oral health care. I think we have all to play a part in sharing with the public, national dental associations and health authorities the full story provided in the guidance document.”

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. Source: California Dental Association/American Dental Association