“The impact has been devastating,” said Dr. Tom Rossi, president of the New Jersey Dental Association.
He told the New Jersey Senate Fiscal Recovery Strategists Committee on Monday that the financial impact from suspending non-essential dental services for the past two months has been devastating.
According to research from the American Dental Association, people may spend up to two-thirds less on dental care this year and one-third less next year.
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“The most troubling is that dental economists are anticipating that as many as 20% of the sector may close within one year as a result of this pandemic,” Rossi added.
In New Jersey, that could equate to nearly 1,200 practices.
To help the industry rebound, Rossi said it needs help from the government to secure personal protective equipment and operating capital, and to limit dentists’ liability from COVID-19 cases.