IDA recently joined forces with the ADA and other state associations in a letter addressed to leaders from the United States House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. The letter calls for increased funding for PPP and EIDL Loans provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the CARES Act. The ADA previously reported that the SBA was no longer accepting applications for these loans as of April 16.
The ADA is also advocating for flexibility for dental practices to choose the eight-week period for PPP loans. Specifically, the letter asks congressional leaders to:
"Consider allowing small business dental practices to choose the 8- week period for which they seek forgiveness for the loans and rehire back staff before December 31, 2020, instead of requiring them to rehire staff by June 30, 2020. This would allow these practices to make decisions about staffing and payroll based on when they plan to fully reopen. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration classifies dental health care personnel in the very high exposure risk category 1 and the ability to fully reopen dental practices is contingent on the ability to completely control the coronavirus pandemic in a relatively short period of time."
