All Indiana dentists and hygienists must renew their licenses by March 1, 2022. The State of Indiana is encouraging all professionals to renew their licenses online instead of paper, and the online process has migrated to the Access Indiana system. If you don’t have a current Access Indiana account, you will need to create a new one. The sign up procedure also includes a verification process using a text to your cell phone or an email.

If you haven’t already renewed your license, we recommend beginning the process as soon as possible in case you need to seek account or login assistance from the state.

Helpful links:

• Access Indiana
• License Renewal Information
• Indiana Dental CE Requirements
• IDA CE Opportunities

On December 23, the CDC established new guidelines for quarantine and isolation for those infected with COVID-19. The updated guidelines were initially established for health care workers, but on December 27 the CDC updated the guidelines again and said they applied to the general population. The CDC stated that the change was motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of COVID transmission occurs early in the illness, generally in the one to two days prior to onset of symptoms and the two to three days after symptoms begin.

Quarantine/Isolation Guidelines

The updated CDC guidelines are as follows:

• People with COVID-19 should isolate for five days
• Once asymptomatic or with symptoms resolving (without fever for 24 hours), wear a mask for five days when around others to minimize transmission of COVID

Guidelines by Vaccination Status

• For those exposed to COVID but not yet showing symptoms: Unvaccinated individuals or those who received their second dose (or first dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine) six months ago or longer: The CDC recommends quarantine for five days, followed by strict mask use for an additional five days.
• If a five-day quarantine is not feasible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure.
• Fully vaccinated individuals who received their booster shot less than six months ago: There is no need to quarantine following an exposure, but these individuals should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.
• For all individuals: Regardless of vaccination status, the CDC highly recommends getting tested for SARS-CoV-2 at day five after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

Note that news reports from the weekend suggest that the CDC may be considering additional guidelines regarding testing before an individual can exit quarantine. We will keep our members updated on any changes, if any, from the CDC.

The ADA has issued an updated guide on how to encourage patients to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The document also addresses frequently asked questions about patient and staff vaccination status and includes helpful downloadable fact sheets. Click here to access the document.

On December 29, 2021, Governor Eric Holcomb issued Executive Order 21-34 extending Indiana’s COVID-19 public health emergency to February 1, 2022. Click here to read the order.