Editor's note: This article was updated on 10/21.
Last Thursday, October 16th, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued a new advisory on the Ebola virus. The advisory stated that the ADA is in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) regarding Ebola, along with updated information about the virus.
The advisory comes in the wake of two Dallas, Texas nurses contracting Ebola while treating Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian man, at a local hospital. According to officials, 17 individuals have been treated for Ebola in the United States and Europe as of last Thursday.
The advisory was updated on Friday, October 17th. At the core of the advisory is statement urging practices to delay treatment for anyone who has visited West Africa in recent weeks:
"As recommended by the ADA Division of Science, any person within 21 days of returning from the West African countries Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea may be at risk of having contacted persons infected with Ebola and may not exhibit symptoms. If this is the case, dental professionals are advised to delay routine dental care of the patient until 21 days have elapsed from their trip. Palliative care for serious oral health conditions, dental infections and pain can be provided if necessary after consulting with the patient’s physician and conforming to standard precautions and physical barriers."
For the complete ADA advisory, visit the association's website here.
Related: Ebola: Dental professionals need to be prepared for all emerging diseases.
