April 1, 2020 | Issue 11
IDB Releases FAQs Related to Governor Reynolds' Mandate
The Iowa Dental Board (IDB) has released FAQs in response to Governor Reynolds' mandate to cease all nonessential dental services. The IDB will be updating the FAQs regularly to best meet the needs of Iowa's dental professionals at this time.

Below is an example of one frequently asked question both the IDB and IDA have been receiving:

Q: If the patients are screened and all of the protocols are put into place, can we safely place definitive crowns that have already been prepared? 

A: Yes, seating restorations is permissible on an as-needed basis. If a patient were to experience complications over the next few weeks as a result of a provisional restoration, the final restoration may be placed if the board’s recommendations are followed as outlined . Additionally, the Board would recommend that the final restoration be placed in cases where there is no cutting of the structure using a water-spraying hand piece and staff use the appropriate PPE.​
Webinar Focuses on Student Loan Repayment
Laurel Road will share information on the federal response to COVID-19 during the webinar Student Loan Repayment in Uncertain Times on Thursday, April 2 beginning at 1:00 PM. Webinar topics include:

  • What does the federal aid program cover?
  • What is Laurel Road doing for existing and new customers?
  • Federal Loan Repayment Options
  • What is direct consolidation?
  • Who qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness?
  • What is income-driven repayment?
  • What are the features of federal loans vs refinancing?
  • What is student loan refinancing?
  • Is now a good time to refinance?
Guidance for Teledentistry
ADA has updated the COVID-19 Coding and Billing Interim Guidance to include sample coding scenarios. This guide is designed to provide assistance for billing and coding of virtual appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a reminder, allowing for audio-only telephone transmission to provide telehealth was part of Governor Reynolds' proclamation on March 26, 2020 . This proclamation also mandated that insurance carriers provide coverage for telehealth the same as they would for an in-person visit.

In addition, the ADA is making the webinar Teledentistry in the Era of COVID-19 available at 3:00 PM today, April 1 . During this webinar:

  • Participants will gain an understanding of Office for Civil Rights guidance and what technologies can be used in a telehealth dental check-in system for dentists (limited privacy and enhanced privacy options outlined).
  • Participants will learn what workflows and other business considerations to take into account under the present circumstances.
  • Participants will learn how to market a telehealth dental check-in option to their patients.
Donate PPE
The number of Iowa dentists donating the much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) to county health departments, hospitals, care facilities, and fire/EMS departments continues to grow.

IDA continues to track the amount of PPE being donated by Iowa dentists. If you have not done so already, please contact IDA with a list of the items donated and the name of the facility donated to.

For those willing to donate, please complete the donation form.

Follow us on Facebook to view pictures that dentists have submitted delivering donations and be sure to tag us in your donation posts.

Pictured: Dr. Shamayne Frank of Sioux City delivered 14 boxes of gloves to MercyOne Sioux City.

Thank you to the dentists who have donated or volunteered to donate PPE:

  • Dr. Ashlynn Amelon, Cedar Rapids
  • Dr. Germaine Bello, Cedar Rapids
  • Dr. Robin Briggs, Dubuque
  • Dr. Laura Fauchier, Marion
  • Dr. Ryan Gidel, Humboldt
  • Dr. Cody Olson, Humboldt
  • Dr. Dan Pelc, Oelwein
  • Dr. Heather Kalmuck, Cedar Rapids
  • Dr. Erica Recker, Marion
  • Dr. Jared Sass, West Des Moines
  • Dr. Amy Scallon Geis, Mount Vernon
  • Dr. Joseph Zuccaro, Dubuque
Latest Information from Governor Kim Reynolds
Governor Reynolds is currently conducting daily press conferences at 2:30 PM. Those press conferences may be viewed live on Facebook.

The governor issues daily press releases regarding the status of COVID-19's effect on Iowans. Click here to access the most recent press release.
Register to Serve in the Iowa Statewide Emergency Registry of Volunteers
Interested individuals are encouraged to register as a willing and able volunteer through the Iowa Statewide Emergency Registry of Volunteers (i-SERV) – the Iowa Department of Public Health's secure online registry for individuals wishing to volunteer in the event of a large-scale disaster or public health emergency. Volunteers maintain the option to accept or decline any opportunity. Due to the Governor’s Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration, individuals who volunteer to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic are granted liability immunity for their service. Volunteering for this disaster response will not impact unemployment benefits for those who are receiving them as a result of their clinic temporarily shutting down.