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Dental workplaces in San Francisco and Los Angeles County should adjust to new native vaccination orders

Employees at dental offices in Los Angeles County and San Francisco will soon be required to provide proof of vaccination to work or enter these facilities after two new public health orders were issued last week.

Local ordinances are stricter than the July 26 state Health Ordinance, which requires all California health care providers, including dentists and dentists, to either provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination or, if not vaccinated, periodically August 23 August compliance deadline.

Dentists and dentists in San Francisco and Los Angeles Counties who cannot provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be able to get weekly tested unless they meet the permitted exemptions after local regulations go into effect. Dental offices must comply with both state and local health ordinances between August 23 and their local ordinance compliance deadlines.

The local orders are coming as the two counties grapple with increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, mainly caused by the Delta variant in unvaccinated people.

The deadline for completing the order in Los Angeles County is September 30th

The Los Angeles County’s Department of Health ordinance of August 12 requires all health care workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by September 30, 2021.
Dentists should read the full order to understand the details, but the key requirements are:

  • All workers, including those who work in dental offices, must receive their first dose of a one-dose regimen or their second dose of a two-dose regimen by September 30th.
  • “Worker” refers to all paid and unpaid employees, contractors, volunteers and non-clinical office workers.
  • Employees can be exempted from vaccination requirements for medical or religious reasons.
  • Exempt workers must be tested with a nucleic acid or antigen test at least once a week.
  • Employers must comply with the record-keeping requirements for fully vaccinated and vaccination-exempt workers.

The deadline for completing the order in San Francisco County is October 13th

As of October 13th, San Francisco dental office workers must be fully vaccinated in order to work in or enter the dental facility, as per the local ordinance issued on August 12th. The order also applies to employees in nursing homes, pharmacies and other health care workers and also includes a new vaccination mandate for companies in certain indoor high-contact areas and for large indoor events.
Dentists should read the full order for the details. The most important requirements include:

  • All workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 15 before entering a dental office or working in a dental office.
  • “Worker” is defined as an employee, contractor and subcontractor, independent contractor, seller authorized to sell products or services on-site, and any other person who regularly provides on-site services.
  • Employees can be exempted from vaccination requirements for medical or religious reasons.
  • Unvaccinated, exempt personnel must be tested for COVID-19 with a nucleic acid or antigen test at least once a week.
  • The employer must comply with the record-keeping requirements for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated workers.

CDA FAQ, resources available

The following CDA resources can help dentists comply with state and local regulations:

CDA asks for clarification of open employment issues

CDA is looking for additional guidance on how employers should react if employees refuse to be vaccinated. In the meantime, employers are advised to seek legal advice prior to separating from an employee. CDA will keep members informed via the newsroom and weekly newsletter as more information becomes available.

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