Delta Dental of Kansas COVID-19 Update
Updated September 14, 2020
The Importance of Maintaining Good Oral Health and Overall Health During COVID-19
Delta Dental of Kansas (DDKS) remains aligned with other dental industry leaders in following guidance from U.S. health authorities to ensure patients can safely receive the oral health care they need. As we navigate this public health crisis, it is important to remember that maintaining good oral health is critical. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA) have closely monitored the COVID-19 pandemic and established clear guidance on how dentists can safely and effectively deliver care to patients, including critical preventive oral health care, which has a tremendous impact on overall health. Regular cleanings and checkups can detect underlying health conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and pneumonia. In addition, delaying checkups or care for dental pain may lead to increased treatment time, higher costs and serious infections.
Chief among the protocols established by health authorities is the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely deliver care. To address this and other equipment and safety measures needed to reopen and operate safely, DDKS has provided PPE funding for our member dentists in Kansas.
Your Dentist’s Office Pre-COVID
Dentists as medical professionals have been required by law even before COVID-19 to maintain proper safety protocols in order to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses between patients. These safety protocols include sterilizing and disinfecting office equipment in addition to wearing masks while providing care. These same protocols are still in place during COVID-19, however, you will likely see additional protocols during COVID-19.
Your Dentist Office During COVID
Dental offices are incorporating additional safety measures as a result of COVID-19. You may encounter any of the following during your next visit:
- Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by all staff including the office staff;
- Mask requirements during your visit. You may have your temperature taken prior to receiving your dental services;
- Proper social distancing requirements in the office waiting room or new waiting room protocols including waiting in the car to be called in for services; and
- Additional screening protocols prior to your visit to ensure you aren’t experiencing a fever, cough or other COVID-19 symptoms, or haven’t been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Be sure to contact your dental office if you have questions about their protocols before and during your next visit.
What can I do to maintain my oral health until my next appointment?
Developing positive oral health habits and a routine while at home will benefit your long-term health. Keep up your oral hygiene between appointments by brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months and be aware of bad habits like using your teeth to open packages.
Some examples of resources you may find helpful are:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
American Dental Association (ADA)
Maintaining good oral health at home during the COVID-19 pandemic
What to do if you have a dental emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19: what to expect when your dental office reopens
Updated March 23, 2020
Delta Dental of Kansas is committed to providing proactive information to help you manage through these challenging times.
The overall health of our Delta Dental of Kansas members, Participating Dentists, and employees is our priority. We are actively monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and want to assure you that we have developed a strategy to respond to evolving circumstances while meeting each of your needs. We are committed to ensuring that our customers and employees receive the care and services they need, and that our Participating Dentists are supported during this trying time.
Updates for Participating Dentists
Updates for Groups and Brokers
Updated March 17, 2020
Delta Dental of Kansas is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees and customers. With the increasing public health concern surrounding the COVID-19 virus, we need to do our part to protect the safety and health of our employees and the general public.
We have instituted our business continuity plan during this time to ensure that we continue to provide excellent service to you during this time. Effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020, a majority of our workforce will be working remotely. We have planned and prepared for situations that allow us to work remotely while continuing to provide the best-in-class service you’ve come to expect from Delta Dental of Kansas.
Our teams have the tools and resources to meet our customers’ needs. We believe there will be little to no business disruption during this time. This is an unprecedented situation and we appreciate your patience.
We will continue to provide updates on this webpage (DeltaDentalKS.com/COVID-19).
If you have any questions about our preparedness, please don’t hesitate to contact Sarah Patterson, VP of Marketing at 316-462-3341 or spatterson@deltadentalks.com.
Updated March 13, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Delta Dental of Kansas (DDKS) has activated a plan in accordance with our standard business continuity practices. The intent of the plan is to provide for the ongoing health and safety of our employees, constituents and the community while ensuring seamless service operations for our members, clients and dental office partners.
Our plan calls for a phased approach consistent with guidelines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control which include assessing an incident, then containing and mitigating risk. We have assembled a response team that is monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis and implementing actions based upon our plan.
Please note, all DDKS services are currently operational and will remain operational to ensure business continuity.
For precautionary measures, DDKS has implemented the following control measures designed to minimize the risk of impact to our operations:
- Hygiene: Individuals who access our facilities are asked to practice heightened levels of hygiene. To facilitate, we have installed hands-free soap and hand sanitizer throughout our facilities. We are also cleaning common areas such as door handles and copiers multiple times throughout the day.
- Entrance Restrictions: Individuals who have a fever or flu-like symptoms are not allowed into our facilities until the individual is fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
- Travel: Business related travel has been restricted to “essential-only.”
- Public Guidance and Requirements: DDKS is adhering to the requirements and recommendations of government agencies.
We are monitoring the situation closely and we are prepared should the situation escalate further. We will continue to provide updates on this webpage (DeltaDentalKS.com/COVID-19).
If you have any questions about our preparedness, please don’t hesitate to contact Sarah Patterson, VP of Marketing at 316-462-3341 or spatterson@deltadentalks.com.