Today (4/28) Associated Press posted an article, Georgia Coronavirus Deaths Reach 1,000 Amid Openings. The article reports on coronavirus in Georgia and the impact Gov. Kemp’s order may have on the state, noting the order allows for resumption of elective procedures such as dental cleanings among others.

GDA member Dr. Peter Shatz, chair of GDA’s Innovation Task Force, did an excellent job instilling consumer confidence in visiting the dentist by relaying a key message that dentals offices have always followed the highest standards of disinfection and sterile techniques. The quote below appears in the article: 

Dr. Peter Shatz, chairman of the Georgia Dental Association’s innovation task force, said the practices where he works are screening patients by phone before they enter the office and checking their temperatures before putting them in the dentist’s chair.

Dentists and hygienists already wore gloves, masks and sometimes face shields. Shatz said now they will wear disposable gowns, plus surgical caps and shoe coverings.

“A restaurant is a little bit different than a dental practice where we can control the flow of patients,” Shatz said. “We have certain advantages over other businesses because we are good at keeping things clean.”

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• Governor’s Executive Order 08.19.21.01 renews the State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery provisions until September 28, 2021 at 11:59 pm unless renewed or terminated.

• Governor’s Executive Order 08.19.21.02 renews the State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery Regulatory Suspensions until September 28, 2021 at 11:59 pm. This Executive Order continues to allow manikin-based CRDTS and ADEX exams taken on or after January 1, 2021, allows dentists to administer the COVID-19 vaccines in partnership with DPH, and allows the BOD to issue temporary licenses. These provisions extend until September 28, 2021 at 11:59 pm unless renewed or terminated.

• A new provision is that the strict compliance with Code section 45-20-16 (Rules for accrual of leave, holidays, and compensation for closing of state offices; utilization of accumulated sick leave; conversion to and use of personal leave; disapproval of sick leave; procedure for contesting disapproval; regain of forfeited sick leave after reemployment) is suspended for the limited purposes of allowing non-temporary employees to use up to 8 hours of emergency office closure leave to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, provided they show proof of obtaining the vaccine, and allowing said employees to use up to 16 hours of emergency office closure leave if they experience negative side effects provided they show proof of negative side effects from a medical provider.

• Governor’s Executive Order 08.19.21.03 renews the provisions of State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery, stating that organizations shall implement measures which mitigate the spread of COVID-19, which may include voluntary implementation of county or municipal ordinances, orders, rules, or regulations until September 28, 2021 at 11:59 pm unless renewed or terminated. The implementation of mitigating measures is consistent with previous Executive Orders.

• ARE DENTAL OFFICES CONSIDERED AN "ORGANIZATION" AS DEFINED BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER?

• YES. “Organizations shall mean any business, establishment, corporation, non-profit corporation, organization, event, Convention, Live Performance Venue, or other entity.

• A new provision from previous Executive Orders issued this year is that county and municipal government orders, rules, and regulations that are more or less restrictive than the terms of EO 08.19.21.03 are considered inconsistent and expressly prohibited by the terms of the order. This effectively voids local mask mandates, like those in the City of Atlanta and Savannah, which would be considered more restrictive than what is stated in EO 08.19.21.03.