On March 15, 2020, as the novel coronavirus spread through US cities, The New York Times published an infographic categorizing occupations by risk of exposure to the virus. 1 The risk was evaluated as a function of physical proximity to others and the extent of exposure. Though health care professionals faced the overall greatest risk, dentists and dental hygienists topped the list as the care they provide involves not only immediate proximity to the patient, but also work in the direct path of the exhalation plume of the patient. In recognition of this risk, most states suspended elective medical procedures, including some dental care. Furthermore, starting in the first week of March, 39 states and DC imposed stay-at-home orders which limited individuals' ability to step outside the home. While these orders did not halt all dental care, many dentists shut their practices temporarily in order to slow the spread of the virus, protect patients and providers, and conserve personal protective equipment. Dental offices took this opportunity to reconfigure their practice to introduce protective measures such as temperature screenings, updated procedures (limited polishing, peroxide swish, etc.), greater spacing of patients, and upgraded air filtration systems.In this study, we evaluate changes in visits to dentists' offices due to the stay-at-home orders imposed by some states to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 starting in March 2020. Though many clinics reopened for limited services in these states, patients avoided dental care for fear of exposure to the virus. We also take advantage of variability in the wording of stay-athome orders to examine whether language actively encouraging dental care during this period yielded the intended policy outcome.