Based on phone calls to the association yesterday in the aftermath of Governor Murphy's Executive Order extension (No. 138), many of our members are under the impression that there is no feasibility that dental offices will reopen to elective treatment prior to the expiration of yesterdaysExecutive Order on June 7th.
To clarify:
*The Executive Order extension did not fix a firm date for office reopening or change the Governor's widely expressed intention to relax restrictions on elective medical and dental procedures as soon as he feels comfortable doing so.
*At his press conference on May 5th, he stated,"On elective surgeries (of which dentistry is included), Judy (Commissioner of Health JudithPersichilli)I'll just say this, that that's something that is, I'd say on the sequencing, that's probably on the more sooner than later side, but we're still not quite there yet, but I think you'd probably agree with that."
*Dentistry is part of the larger NJ healthcare infrastructure that has been sidelined by these care restrictions, and we continue to share the frustration and lobby just like ourmedical colleagues and hospitals for the relaxing of these restrictions so we can resume caring for the oral health of our patients and the fiscal health of our practices.
The NJDA has been in constant contact with both the Governor's senior staff and with representatives at the highest levels of government regarding restarting the dental economy. Our "A Case to Reopen Dental Practices" proposal to the Governor and Legislators was very well received in its efforts to protect the health of our patients and dental team members upon our return. As a result, we are optimistic that dental offices will be included in the first group of businesses the Governor permits to resume their operations.
Thomas Rossi, DMD
President |
Mitchell Weiner, DMD
President-Elect |
Art Meisel, Esq.
Executive Director |