Over the past year and a half, the VDA has helped members understand COVID-19 and how to keep your patients, staff and yourself safe during the pandemic. At the VDA’s urging, dentists in Virginia were prioritized for access to the vaccine and the VDA has produced webinars, detailed guidelines and updates on the latest science-based recommendations for preventing the spread of the disease. Dentists have always been at the forefront of infection control and the ADA and VDA have strongly encouraged dental professionals to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. HPI reports show that more than 90 percent of dentists have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Our commitment to safety extends to the Virginia Meeting, which will be our first large in-person gathering since the onset of the pandemic. We are still learning about the Delta variant and guidance and regional spread of the virus may change. The VDA and the Williamsburg Lodge will follow the latest CDC and state guidance. We will continue to monitor the situation and will update all attendees prior to the event on whether masks will be required for all or parts of the event.
We will be:
- Supplying masks for attendees
- Supplying hand sanitizer throughout the check-in area and at high traffic locations
- Providing for appropriate safety measures during social events and meals to include:
- Social distancing
- Contactless check-in and other options
- Cleaning meeting spaces between uses (by the venue)
- Changes to food and beverage services (per venue guidelines)
Attendees can find the latest policies on masks and safety on the event website and our events committee will be updating those policies on
the event page in the lead-up to the event.
We recognize that as healthcare professionals and leaders in our communities, we set an example for conduct both inside and outside of our practices. We encourage anyone with questions to contact
Megan Wyman and we thank you for your commitment to organized dentistry, which has been so important over the 150 years of the association, and particularly during these last two years.
Virginia Meeting Safety Protocols
Colonial Williamsburg Advisories