(Arlington, VA, Monday, November 30, 2020) – The experience with the first wave of the pandemic, coupled with new research, provides helpful findings and data that governors, legislators, and other policymakers can use to decide which businesses can remain open even in the event of a future shutdown, and how they can do so in the safest manner possible.

Some states have taken it a step further, passing legislation identifying businesses that not only are so essential that they should remain open even in the event of a future shutdown, but also granting them additional authority to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. A great example of this can be found in Oregon, where a law was enacted that authorizes dentists to administer vaccinations.

Patrick Gleason, vice president of state affairs, Americans for Tax Reform, explains why dentistry is a form of essential health care.

SOUNDBITE #1:

IT IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED THAT DENTAL PRACTICES CAN OPERATE SAFELY DURING THE PANDEMIC. TAKING CARE OF YOUR ORAL HEALTH IS AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR OVERALL HEALTH. DENTISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN TREATING PATIENTS FOR MONTHS. THIS PANDEMIC HAS PROVEN THAT IT IS TIME FOR DENTISTRY TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A FORM OF ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE.

SOUNDBITE #2:

THE MAYO CLINIC NOTES THAT THERE ARE A HOST OF SERIOUS DISEASES AND CONDITIONS LINKED TO ORAL HEALTH. NEW RESEARCH INDICATES THAT GOOD ORAL HEALTH CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT AN INFECTED PERSON WILL SURVIVE COVID-NINETEEN. DENTISTS ARE VERY WELL-TRAINED AND SITUATED TO FIGHT THE SPREAD OF COVID-NINETEEN, WHICH IS WHY THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE PROVIDING CARE THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

For more information, visit theadso.org.