A growing number of dental offices across the country are charging patients an "infection control fee."
After nearly two months at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Erica Schoenradt was making plans in May to see her dentist for a checkup.
Swish Dental is one of a growing number of dental practices nationwide that in the past month have begun charging patients infection control fees of $10 to $20. Nearly two-thirds of dental offices across the country have reopened for routine care, according to the American Dental Association. For example, United Concordia Dental of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, agreed to pay dentists $10 per patient per visit in May and June to offset their protective equipment expenses for all fully insured clients. The company has more than 9 million members nationwide.
He said that last year Swish was paying about $6 for a box of 20 masks. Today, $6 buys a single mask. The dental office has installed sneeze guards, staffers are wearing face shields over their masks, and the offices have added air filtration systems and hired additional sanitation staff members to clean the offices every day.
Tamar Lasky, an epidemiologist, said she likes her dentist in Owings Mills, Maryland, and was glad that the office was communicating the many precautions it was taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But she said she was stunned when she was informed by email that a $15"infection control charge" would be added to her bill.
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