The IDA COVID Task Force continues to monitor COVID-19 on behalf of members. Below is a message from the Indiana Department of Health regarding detection of the Omicron variant in our state.

On December 18, the Indiana Department of Health laboratories identified the first Indiana resident infected with the Omicron variant. This individual is an adult who was not vaccinated. This case was identified through routine sequencing surveillance.

Studies have shown that the Omicron variant is more infectious that the Delta variant, resistant to certain therapeutics, and can possibly evade vaccine- or infection-induced immunity. Preliminary laboratory-based studies show decreased vaccine- and infection-induced antibody neutralization of the Omicron variant (see Background). Studies are underway to determine if the Omicron variant causes more severe illness; however, given its greater transmissibility, it is expected that a proportional number of people may require hospital care, further stressing hospital systems that are already burdened. The Omicron variant is expected to become the dominant strain in the US in a few weeks.

COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are extremely important to provide full protection against Omicron. Booster doses are effective at preventing infection, severe illness, and death when compared to people who completed a primary vaccine series but did not receive a booster dose (Bar-On et al. NEJM; Arbel et al. NEJM). Preliminary studies show that a booster dose after primary series vaccination can restore a protective level of antibody neutralization (Pfizer-BioNTech media release) and vaccine effectiveness (Andrews et al. preprint) against Omicron.

Given the effectiveness of booster doses at increasing protection and the emergence of the Omicron variant, the IDOH strongly recommends:

• Everyone 5 years of age or older complete a primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
• Everyone 16 years of age or older who completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination series receive a booster dose at the appropriate time interval (at least six months if received mRNA vaccine primary series and at least two months if received Johnson and Johnson initial dose).
• Individuals who had a prior COVID-19 infection should get vaccinated; people previously infected who are subsequently vaccinated have some of the highest levels of protection.

Background:
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was first reported to the World Health Organization from South Africa on November 24. The first case of Omicron was identified in the U.S. was identified December 1 and has now been identified in at least 44 states, including Indiana. Cases have now been identified in at least 77 countries worldwide. Countries including the United Kingdom and the US have reported that Omicron cases are doubling every 2-3 days.

Omicron has about 50 mutations, including about 30 on the spike protein, which is predicted to increase transmissibility, confer resistance to certain therapeutics (e.g., monoclonal antibodies), and potentially escape infection-or vaccine-induced immunity. The impact of this variant is still being studied, but early lab-based antibody neutralization studies are showing a significant decrease in the ability of infection- or vaccine-induced antibodies to neutralize Omicron (Pfizer-BioNTechmedia release; Cele et al.medRxiv; Wilhelm etal. medRxiv; Roessler etal. medRxiv). Studies indicate that Omicron transmits 2-3x faster than delta, reinfections occur at 5x higher rate with omicron than delta.

Preliminary evidence indicates that a booster dose after primary series vaccination restores antibody-mediated immunity to protective levels (Pfizer-BioNTech media release) and vaccine effectiveness (Andrews et al. Preprint) against the Omicron variant. Because of the emergence of Omicron and the possibility of waning immunity after the primary series, booster doses are extremely important to provide full protection.

The only way to identify a specific variant, including Omicron, is through genetic sequencing, currently being conducted at public health laboratories, academic laboratories, reference laboratories, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The IDOHL conducts routine surveillance sequencing to monitor changes and proportions of variants in Indiana.

For any questions, please call the IDOH Epidemiology Resource Center at 317-233-7125 during normal business hours from 8:15-4:15 M-F. For after-hours questions, please call the IDOH Epidemiologist-on-Call at 317-233-1325.

CDC: Moderna and Pfizer Vaccines Preferred Over Johnson & Johnson
Expressing concern over Johnson & Johnson’s COVID vaccine’s very rare link to blood clots, USA Today is reporting the CDC now states a preference for Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID vaccines. It also states that Pfizer and Moderna’s mRNA vaccinations and boosters appear to provide more protection that the J&J vaccine. Click here to learn more.

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Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2021–Dr. Juan Yepes

The IDA presented its annual Outstanding Teacher of the Year award to Dr. Juan Yepes. Dr. Yepes joined the IUSD faculty in 2014 as an associate professor and became a full professor in 2020. Dr. Yepes maintains a busy teaching schedule and is active on multiple IUSD and campus committees, in additional to national organizations. He is also an international speaker and well known for his expertise throughout the dental community. Dr. Yepes regularly demonstrates a love for teaching and is a powerful motivator to his students and colleagues. Dr. Yepes’ boundless energy and lifelong commitment are an inspiration to IUSD and international dental field.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year 2021-Dr. Anderson Hara

The IDA presented its annual Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year award to Dr. Anderson Hara. Dr. Hara is an associate professor and an accomplished researcher in the area of dental caries and erosive tooth wear. Dr. Hara has received awards and recognition from around the world for his research and hard work. He also has held positions of secretary, treasurer and president of the International Association for Dental Research. We thank Dr. Hara for his great work and research that benefit the worldwide dental community.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

On November 6 the Indiana University School of Dentistry Alumni Association presented the IDA Covid Task Force with a special recognition for their leadership during COVID. The Alumni Association presents awards to individual dentists annually, but this was the first time the Association has presented an award to an organization.

Congratulations to all Task Force members! Accepting the award are IDA President Dr. Steven C. Hollar, chair of the COVID Task Force, committee member Dr. Pat Clark, and Dr. Steve Ellinwood, who was president of the IDA at the start of the COVID outbreak.

It’s time to renew your ADA/IDA/local component membership for 2022. Our professional membership gives you immeasurable benefits for your career and your practice. We’re better together as a profession and an association.

Click here to renew for 2022.

 

The ADA and CDC have updated their guidance on protocols to follow when dental office staff contract COVID, or are directly exposed through their household or other close contacts. Click this link to download a multi-page document with information on exposures, quarantine recommendations, and steps to follow for vaccinated staff.

Self-study publications in ethics and opioids are now available. The publications are worth 2 self-study CE credits each and fulfill requirements for Indiana license renewal.

IDA members will receive both publications in the mail by the end of October. To view a digital version of the publications and to access the related quizzes, visit our payment pages:

• Click here to order Ethics and Jurisprudence 2021
• Click here to order Opioid Abuse and Prevention 2021

 

The cost for IDA members is $30 each. The non-member price is $200, and hygienists may access the ethics publication for $50. Hygienists and non-member dentists may request a print version of the publication for no additional cost, subject to availability. Quizzes for each publication are available online or in PDF format upon request.

 

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Registration is now open for the 2022 Midwest Dental Assembly. Next year’s event will be held May 20-22, 2022, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne. As always, the event will offer networking events, a vendor Marketplace, extensive CE opportunities and more.

Visit our MDA page to learn more and to register.

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Have you heard of Next Level Jobs? The State of Indiana created this program several years ago as a way to help employers fill in-demand jobs throughout the state.

Included among the job fields for NextLevel Jobs are dental assisting and dental lab techs. As an employer, you may qualify for reimbursement of up to $5,000 in training expenses per employee, with a maximum of $50,000.

The Next Level Jobs website has more information about the eligibility and training requirements for both employers and employees:

 

The spikes in new COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the Delta variant have prompted an increase in the number of COVID-related calls to the IDA. Despite the new wave of cases, there have been very few changes in CDC guidance for health care providers. The IDA COVID Task Force encourages you to not drop your guard. Dental treatment has proven to be safe for patients and dental team members when recommended COVID protocols are consistently followed. Below are some of the questions the IDA has been receiving lately, as well as answers, best practices for members and their offices, and links to helpful details.

Are masks still required in dental offices?
Yes. Even after the May 14 CDC announcement that individuals fully vaccinated against COVID no longer needed to wear masks indoors, this recommendation did not apply to health care settings, including dental offices.

In late July, the CDC reversed course somewhat and recommended the reinstatement of masks indoors for everyone regardless of vaccine status, though the recommendation centered more specifically on current hot spots around the country. View the map below to view outbreaks around the U.S.

Are all staff required to wear masks in dental offices?
As with patients, the CDC recommendation for masks in health care settings also applies to all dental office staff, including non-clinical employees. The exception is in the office break area, providing that all staff present are vaccinated against COVID-19. Needless to say, appropriate PPE is always required during clinical procedures.

Are we still required to screen patients for COVID?
Screening patients for COVID is still highly recommended by the ADA and CDC. Office staff should check for fever, symptoms of COVID and recent exposure to others who have tested positive for COVID.

Can I open my reception area?
The ADA continues to recommend keeping reception areas closed, but this is a decision a dentist should make based on the needs of the local community. View the latest ADA recommendations.

A patient refused to come to our office unless both I and the hygienist were vaccinated. Can I share this information?
You can share the vaccine status of your employees with patients only with permission from the employees. It may also be helpful to inquire of the patient why he or she is so concerned about contracting COVID in the dental office, and if appropriate, to offer an early morning or late afternoon appointment so as to minimize contact with other patients.

Can I ask about patients’ vaccination status?
You may ask about vaccination status as part of your medical history and information process, provided that you ask all patients uniformly.

When will we be able to receive vaccine booster shots?
On July 8, the FDA and CDC issued a joint statement that due to the vaccines’ effectiveness at preventing severe illness and hospitalization, boosters were neither necessary nor approved at this time. The IDA and ADA will continue to keep members informed should boosters become recommended.

Do I have to pay my employees who miss work because of a Covid positive test or exposure?
No. The requirement to pay for employees for missed work due to Covid expired December 31, 2020.

Can I require that my employees receive the COVID vaccine?
Most likely yes, for those staff who treat patients directly, but see the ADA vaccine FAQs for guidance on non-clinical staff. View the ADA vaccine FAQs.

Do vaccinated staff members still have to get tested if they’ve been exposed to COVID?
The CDC still recommends that the staff member exposed to COVID get tested. However, quarantine is not necessary unless the vaccinated staff member tests positive or begins experiencing symptoms. Vaccinated staff who test positive, regardless of symptoms, should quarantine for 10 days.

What do I do if a staff member tests positive for COVID? Are there different protocols if the employee is fully vaccinated but still contracts COVID?
New CDC data shows that both the vaccinated and unvaccinated are able to transmit the virus, so regardless of vaccination status, the staff member should quarantine for 10 days. In addition, the ADA recommends contacting patients who may have been exposed to COVID from the infected staff member.

 

The IDA Well Being Program addresses the needs of dentists impaired by substance abuse or chemical dependence. The program helps dentists with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and is completely confidential. If you or a dentist you know needs help, contact our Well Being coordinator Candace Backer at wellbeing@indental.org, or call 800-562-5646. Click here to learn more about our Well Being program.