COVID-19 UPDATE
Kansas Dental Offices Asked to Complete Personal Protective Equipment Survey

KDA members and dentists across the country are in search of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The KDA hosted a webinar last week with Michael Wilgus, a representative from The Dentists Supply Company (TDSC), regarding access to PPE and what to look for to avoid gray and black market PPE.

The American Dental Association (ADA) has been working feverishly with dental suppliers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the federal government to get PPE into the hands of dentists.

To collect data on existing PPE, we are asking all dental offices to complete this anonymous survey about your current PPE supply levels. The aggregate data collected in this survey will be shared with state and federal officials and will be useful in KDA and ADA efforts to obtain PPE needed for all dental offices.
Update on Personal Protective Equipment Supply Chain

Below is what we know about PPE supply from the ADA, as of today. Please note that the ADA is not endorsing any distribution or manufacturers; this is just a resource list to help dentists find PPE .
  
  • N95 Masks (3M) or KN95 Masks (Asian suppliers - fit could be less than ideal for US): Supply is completely constrained - NO PRODUCT

  • Little to no inventory among dental suppliers. Level 2 and 3 surgical masks are available, but in limited quantities. 

  • Six medical supply companies have been allocated N95 masks by FEMA, including Henry Schein. The other five are medical distributors and do not sell to dentists.


  • After intense lobbying by the ADA, on Friday May 1, the ADA received word that FEMA had placed dentistry #7 on its priority list, which is a great victory since dentists had not previously even been on the list at all.

  • After several discussions with 3M and FEMA, the ADA has laid out a plan of action for state dental associations to contact their state Emergency Management Association (the local FEMA affiliate) and governors about getting PPE, specifically N95 masks, for dentists in the state. Please complete the Kansas dental office PPE survey so this data can be used to show the need for and obtain necessary PPE.

  • In addition, the ADA’s Health Policy Institute (HPI) will continue to collect similar data from a panel of 19,000 dentists nationwide. 

  • Level 3 Surgical Masks: Supply is constrained

  • The ADA has been advised that all suppliers have limited inventory and will ship limited quantities 

  • Face Shields: Supply seems adequate 

  • Patterson, Henry Schein, Benco all report inventory in stock and ability to distribute Vista-Tec face shields that cover the face while wearing magnification loupes. Click here to learn more and find a distributor.

  • LoupeSaver Shields, for dental hygienists who wear loupes, are available but may have to be purchased directly from the manufacturer. Click here to learn more and place an order.

  • Evident Protective Face Shields, a company based in the UK, has a limited supply of face shields available. Click here to learn more and place an order.


  • Pearson Dental Supply has a variety of face shields and protective eyeware available for purchase. Click here to learn more and place an order.

  • The KDA is also aware of face shields being manufactured by PRG Professional in Pittsburg, KS. Click here to learn more and place an order. According to PRG, inventory is regularly updated, so if an item is out of stock, please check back later.
     
  • Gowns: Supply is constrained

  • All suppliers have inventory of long sleeve cloth or disposable paper gowns, but will only sell limited supply. Below are some of the available resources:

Kansas Dental Association • 5200 SW Huntoon • Topeka, KS 66604 • 785-272-7360 • ksdental.org