The MDS is pleased to welcome our new President, Dr. MaryJane Hanlon, who is associate dean for clinical affairs and assistant professor in the department of comprehensive care at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Hanlon is the fourth woman President in the Society’s history. The 2020-2021 governance year also includes three new Regional Trustees, an At-Large Trustee, and four new Guest Board members.
Governor Charlie Baker announced on July 6, 2020 that Massachusetts is entering Phase 3—the Vigilant Phase—of the state’s four-phase reopening plan. Phase 3 offers no change for dental practices, which can continue to see patients for all procedures.
The ADA has recently updated its Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit, a resource that recommends measures to take to help protect patients, staff, and dentists from COVID-19 as practices reopen and begin to provide more than emergency and urgent care.
The MDS stands with members of our communities, including our dentists and patients, who face injustice and racism in their day-to-day lives. Leadership is needed on this issue from all walks of life, including dentistry, if we as a society are going to achieve the change that we need.
Phase 2 requires dentists to create an addendum to their Phase 1 attestation form that documents the practice’s prioritization policy for providing Phase 2 care. The prioritization plan should identify patients and services that, based on the provider’s clinical judgment, are most critical. The addendum should be kept with the attestation form and updated as needed.
