Prognosis

Dentists Face Another Hurdle Before Reopening: Too Few Masks

  • Jitters spread on the current state of protective equipment
  • Restaurants, other businesses may vie with dentists for masks
Photographer: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg
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Dentists and orthodontists who are clamoring to re-open their businesses as states across the country ease some restrictions on stay-at-home orders face another hurdle to welcoming back patients: a lack of protective equipment.

The nationwide shortage of things like gloves, masks and face shields has thrown a wrench into hopes that dental offices and other private practices can reopen smoothly when local governments and the American Dental Association give the all-clear. The difficulty some doctors have had getting their hands on critical personal protective equipment (PPE) has dentists asking how they can best resume business.