Governor Cuomo issues Executive Order including dentists in POC testing

Dentists able to perform POC COVID-19 tests

Governor Cuomo recently issued Executive Order 202.61. The Executive Order adds a requirement that all COVID-19 point-of-care (POC) test results be reported within three hours to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). Dentists are listed as one of the professions that can perform the POC testing, as long as the test is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived and they have received certification and a CLIA waiver from NYSDOH. This ends the question of "Can a dentist do a COVID-19 CLIA-waived test?” The order added the three-hour reporting requirement, but confirmed that dentists are included on the list of professions that can do these tests.

Due to NYSDA's outreach to the Governor’s office, the most recent executive order clearly lists dentistry as a profession able to administer point-of-care COVID-19 tests.

We are still gathering information and plan to share more guidance on testing in the coming weeks.

Here is information you can expect to receive:

• How to apply for a CLIA waiver.
• How to cross check that the test you are interested in purchasing is a point-of-care test and also on the approved list for FDA Emergency Use Authorization.
• Details on the reporting requirements if you decide to do POC tests in your office using the Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS).

Continue to check nysdental.org/covid19 for further information.