Minnesota Dental Association seeks reopening guidance

The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) is calling on the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the governor's office to provide guidance for dentists on when and how they can reopen in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MDA represents almost 75% of practicing dentists in the state. Now, 97% of practices are open only for emergency care or have closed entirely, and dentists are reporting decreases in revenue of 95%, the MDA said.

Gov. Tim Walz on March 23 signed an executive order that created a small business loan program during the COVID-19 emergency, but dental clinics are not eligible for these loans, the MDA said.