Colorado Springs dentists ask for clarity in ‘safer at home’ phase
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Tomorrow the 'safer at home' phase is expected to start and some businesses will soon open back up. But, dentists are wondering if this new order will let them resume important check ups.
Dentists in Colorado Springs say they have only been doing emergency procedures for the last month.
But Dr. Emily Batson, a local prosthodontist, says many of the emergencies could have been avoided.
“I think the vast majority of my colleagues who have seen emergencies in the past four weeks, have seen the type of emergency that could have been prevented had the individuals had access to care,” Batson said.
Dentists say a lot of their work is about prevention through routine check ups. But since the stay-at-home order, many clients are hesitant to come in and even dentists are concerned about doing some procedures because it may not be considered an emergency.
The latest executive order by Governor Polis allows dentists to perform elective surgeries starting Monday. Dental practices will be required to also follow strict social distancing and protective equipment guidelines.
However, there's been conflicting information.
Endodontist Dr. Tyler Boss says the state Department of Regulating Agencies told them over the weekend to not resume regular business on Monday.
“There is an inconsistency in information that we’re getting," Boss said. "And we’re asking for some clarity by simply saying lift that executive order and let us take care of patients according to guidelines.”
Now with the safer-at-home phase, several dentists are asking Governor Polis to clarify if they can start seeing patients for those preventative checkups and avoid emergencies.
"We've been asked to keep patients out of the hospital by taking care of them," Boss said. "But I worry about our ability to do that with all of these regulations being placed on us, especially without the lack of clarification."
He says they are completely ready to start seeing patients while obeying guidelines, like using PPE, sanitizing their office and social distancing. So the issue isn't strict guidelines, it's the fear of doing their job and receiving backlash, Boss said.
The state's Department of Regulatory Agencies -- also known as DORA -- was not immediately available for clarification on Sunday.
