President’s Message
by Byron C. Ganucheau, D.D.S – NODA President
Welcome back! As I think back about my last published President's Message, it was pre-COVID-19; March 2020 issue. So much has happened since then - dental facilities closing for 30 days for non- essential procedures, then extended further, cancellations of numerous meetings and events, social distancing, stay at home orders, unemployment rising, a new LDA Executive Director - Mrs. Annette Droddy, the passing of Dean Henry Gremillion, etc. Time sensitive procedures were allowed starting April 27, 2020. Now, offices are opening back up at their own comfort level and pace along with new recommendations and guidelines for treating patients.
With this pandemic came concerns and an emphasis on safety for patients, business office and chairside associates, and ourselves along with a "new norm" in treating our patients. Telephone and pre appointment screenings, postponement of treatment, waiting in their vehicle outside, limiting the number of patients and their family members / friends in the office at a particular time, removing magazines from reception areas, social distancing, wearing of face masks, post treatment follow up phone calls for COVID- 9 symptoms, and use of plastic dividers at business counters are among them. Without knowing the actual means of transmitting this virus, these precautions need to be taken as we are in unchartered territories. I have spoken with colleagues who have drafted their own consent forms regarding COVID-19 and receiving dental treatment to further protect themselves. I did see on social media an insurer had a COVID-19 consent form. Please refer to Brown & Brown' s article in this issue for clarification on potential liabilities regarding workplace, dental treatment and COVID-19.
Each level of our tripartite association has been working on our behalf to help with the new recommendations, keeping us updated on them, recognizing the importance and treatment of oral healthcare needs, and providing information on PPE suppliers. The ADA has been working on insurance companies modifying reimbursements due to the increased costs of PPE. Some insurance companies are recognizing code D1999 unspecified procedure by report once per patient visit to offset the increased costs of PPE. The LDA sent out flow charts to determine whether to treat or postpone treatment of a patient via text message. Numerous PPE suppliers sent NODA information on their products and that information was emailed out to our members. If you want/need that information, please contact the NODA office at 504/834-6449 or andrew@nodental.org.
The Board of Governors meetings have continued, but now via Zoom and phone-ins. We do not know exactly when a physical General Membership Meeting will occur again, but thoughts of a virtual meeting are being explored.
It is with great sadness and a tragic loss to the dental community, Dean Henry Gremillion passed away suddenly on May 18, 2020.
Congratulations to LDA' s new Executive Director, Mrs. Annette Droddy and Mrs. Jeanne McFall, NODA's new Meeting Planner. She is taking the place of Mrs. Gina Brewer. We wish Mrs. Brewer the best in her future endeavors.
Stay safe and hoping for an end to this pandemic. God bless.
