NMDA Journal Summer 2020

nmdental.org 25 AMessage from the Office of Oral Health By Rudy Blea The Office of Oral Health has provided COVID-19 information to the DOH management team regarding the ADA Tool Kit, the OSHA COVID-19 update, and other reference material prior to the release of the “Re-opening Guidelines.” Since the release of the Guidelines, I participated in the NMDA webinar in May. I have provided information to provid- ers and the public regarding the opening of the dental offices by referring them to the DOH COVID-19 website and the NMDA website for additional informa- tion and the DOH COVID-19 especially the various public information hotlines. Most important, since March, OOH staff have volunteered to support the state’s efforts to reduce the incidence of the Coronavirus. From Las Cruces to Santa Fe, staff have been on the front lines assisting in the testing of residents, contact tracing, notifying residents of their test results especially in the northwest corner of the state, and promoting the use of masks and continued social distancing. Staff have also been involved in data entry and provid- ing administrative support to the Depart- ments COVID-19 Epi Center. The Epi Center is responsible for providing assistance to the general public, providers, business owners on a variety of issues related to COVID-19. Count- less staff hours have been dedicated to serv- ing the people of NewMexico. OOH has also been participating in a num- ber of COVID-19 webinars sponsored by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors and other organizations on various aspects of the COVID-19 impact on dental providers, OSHA standards, practices open- ing up, day-to-day operations of dental offices, children’s health issues, health equity issues (care for minorities), and school health especially what will be the require- ment for school based oral health programs should the schools open up this fall. I have shared the webinar information with all our partners, state contractors, and state staff. The OOH staff in Las Cruces and Albuquer- que have provided the local health offices with PPE supplies (face masks, gowns, gloves, and hand sanitizers). OOH has continued to promote the impor- tance of maintaining good oral hygiene, eat- ing healthy, and exercising during this time of social distancing and self-quarantine. Finally, while the staff have been telecom- muting and in the field, I have maintained the day-to-day operations of the program. Contractors had to be paid, budget reviews, contract negations for FY 21, staff evalua- tions, maintaining communications with state staff and our partners, being available to provide information to the public, and most important ensuring that the staff were safe and sound. OOH staff have volunteered to support the state’s efforts to reduce the incidence of the Coronavirus. From Las Cruces to Santa Fe, staff have been on the front lines assisting in the testing of residents, contact tracing, notifying residents of their test results especially in the northwest corner of the state, and promoting the use of masks and continued social distancing.