ADA Health Policy Institute Examines Impact of COVID-19 on Dentistry

The American Dental Association has shared a new ADA Health Policy Institute research brief that highlights how the ADA Health Policy Institute (HPI) is continuing to examine the impact of COVID-19 on dental practices. In its third wave of polling based on more than 12,000 responses from dentists in private practice, the HPI found that 96.6 percent of practices are either only open for emergency care (79.4 percent) or closed entirely (17.2 percent). This aligns with CDC and ADA guidance.

Compared to the second round of polling, the biggest change relates to staffing. Four weeks ago, 27 percent of dentists were paying their staff fully compared to 14 percent this week. Conversely, the percentage not paying any of their staff rose from 28 percent to 49 percent.

HPI will continue to track data every two weeks in every state to provide a glimpse into how the pandemic is unfolding. Dentists who wish to participate can access the poll on ADA.org. Complete results comparing the weeks of March 23, April 6 and April 20 are posted on the HPI site.