In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all health providers, including dental providers, were required to suspend all elective and non-emergency procedures in March. During this uncertain time, our partners at the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition (KOHC) are dedicated to monitoring the latest updates and recommendations from the CDC, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and other national and state partners on best practices for the oral health community, including:
- Sharing recommendations from the Kentucky Board of Dentistry, Kentucky Dental Association, Kentucky Dental Hygienist Association, and the Kentucky Department of Public Health for dental providers on making decisions about patient care.
- Synthesizing information and recommendations for the oral health community in a webinar with key oral health partners.
- Promoting teledentistry opportunities to provide necessary care during an uncertain time.
- Promoting new free dental consultation hotline launched by DentaQuest that’s available to Kentucky residents to speak to a dental professional about their oral health needs.
Additionally, in a collaborative effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus and alleviate the burden on hospitals and emergency departments, KOHC along with several key oral health partners across the state released an infographic to provide guidance for individuals, families, and caregivers on how to approach dental care needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oral health is an important component of overall health and well-being and having a healthy mouth should remain a priority for everyone. Please share the guidance below about how to maintain good oral health while we all stay healthy at home.
As suggested by dental professionals, a toothbrush needs to be replaced every 3 to 4 months or even sooner, when the bristles are irregular or worn out. When there is bacteria left behind on the teeth even after brushing, this can cause serious problems including periodontitis and gingivitis.