Dentists wore masks prior to 2020. I don’t think I’ve ever (before 2020) seen an MD in a mask. The only dentists I knew (I’m one myself, so I know a lot) who supported universal masking were the small handful of political activists.

Masks are useful at keeping large chunks of debris flying in your face. Very helpful when you are spinning a drill at half a million RPM in a dirty mouth while sitting 18 inches away

In dental school we all had to watch the movie “If Saliva Were Red” and thus knew that masking without FREQUENT changing and good training would be a cross contamination nightmare. I’ve fired people over that. And now I’m supposed to MANDATE it? Uhhh... how about no?