The CDC had recommended in its Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings that cleaning and disinfection of room surfaces start 15 minutes after each patient exits the clinic area.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an update on June 17 to its Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response.
The update removes the recommendation to wait 15 minutes after completion of clinical care and exit of each patient without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to begin to clean and disinfect room surfaces. According to the CDC, the removal of this recommendation is to bring the interim dental setting guidance in line with the CDC’s interim recommendations for healthcare settings.
The time period recommended for patients to inform the dental clinic if they develop systems or are diagnosed with COVID-19 following a dental appointment has also been changed to 2 days to align with CDC’s Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure Guidance
The June 17 update also includes language clarifying Engineering Controls.
