Under the authority of Executive Orders 2020-243 and 2020-257, the Board issued a memorandum temporarily modifying a rule related to general supervision. Specifically, the requirement in 201 KAR 8:562, Section 12(5) that an oral examination by a supervising dentist must have been performed within seven months prior to treatment by a dental hygienist practicing under general supervision is hereby amended. An examination by a dentist shall now have been completed within nine months preceding treatment by the dental hygienist. This revision will be in effect for the duration of the declared state of emergency related to COVID-19.

Guidelines for Dental Care Under COVD-19

Kentucky law already requires that oral health professionals follow the CDC's Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings. This has not changed. However, the Department for Public Health issued an April 27, 2020 memo requiring additional protocols for healthcare services under COVID-19. In response, the Board of Dentistry, along with the Kentucky Dental Association, Kentucky Dental Hygienists' Association, State Dental Director's Office, Kentucky Oral Health Coalition, and the UK and UofL dental schools came together to develop dentistry-specific guidelines, resulting in Phase I: Dentistry's Plan. The Governor's Office subsequently approved this document, thereby making its provisions mandatory. Additional documents, including the Summary Guidelines, PPE Usage Matrix, and FAQ's for Phase I, are supplemental resources to the Phase I guidelines and should be considered similarly enforceable. 

Even with this information, however, we recognize that we will not cover every situation a provider may face. In the absence of clear direction in these documents, the Board recommends following the CDC's Guidelines for Dental Settings Under COVID-19. Finally, licensees should continue to use their best clinical judgement to properly protect their staff, their patients, and themselves.

 Phase I: Dentistry's Plan

 DPH Elective Care Memo 04/27/20 ;

Under the authority of Executive Orders 2020-243 and 2020-257, the Board issued an April 17, 2020 memorandum announcing temporary changes to the rules governing the practice of dentistry, with a revised memo issued on July 20. Among the provisions are a 90 day extension of all Continuing Education deadlines.