AGD continues to monitor the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and identify resources and information that are useful to our members. Our team is also working with federal agencies and legislators to advocate for policies that support general dentists, focusing on issues related to delivering patient care and managing your practice. 

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar II recently testified regarding the inadequate supply of masks and respirators held in the Strategic National Stockpile, the nation's largest supply of lifesaving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use during a public health emergency. HHS recently announced that the department intends to purchase 500 million N95 respirators over the next 18 months as part of its response to COVID-19.

Ensuring the availability of surgical masks in healthcare settings will enable general dentists to provide care and maintain the safety of dental practices while ensuring that they are able to do everything in their power to prevent the spread of infections. 

AGD sent a letter to Secretary Azar on March 3, 2020, asking that the Trump administration take any appropriate action to ensure continued production and availability of surgical masks and N95 respirators during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read the letter.
 
Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted a request from the Centers for Disease Control for an emergency use authorization to allow healthcare personnel to use certain National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-approved respirators — not currently regulated by the FDA — during the COVID-19 outbreak.