April 3, 2020 | Issue 13
IDA Introduces Online CEs
The IDA is excited to announce that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be moving to an online learning format to provide you with the most up-to-date information possible. In order to bring you the same great content you expected at the IDA Annual Session, IDEAS20, several speakers who were originally scheduled to present are making their courses available online for CE credit. Recordings of these webinars will also be available for purchase after they go live if you are unable to attend the live webinar presentations.

As a member benefit, IDA will be making the infection control recorded webinar available free of charge to all members and their staff. Additional courses will be announced shortly. Information on CE online opportunities will be available within this publication and on the IDA website .

Register for the following upcoming live webinars now:

Dr. Jack Griffin Presents Doc, It Was Never a Problem Until You “Fixed” It!
Part 1: Indirect Restorations –Thursday, April 9, 1:00 – 4:00 PM – 3 CEUs
Part 2: Direct Restorations – Friday, April 10, 9:00 AM – Noon – 3 CEUs
Part 1 of this course will cover indirect restorations, while Part 2 will cover direct restorations. Time will be spent learning BIOACTIVE and CAD/CAM that can provide the most biofriendly, long lasting restorations ever. Learn how to prep fast for success, do great build-ups, and simplify esthetic post placement with new universal bonding materials that decrease sensitivity and increase longevity. Participants will leave this course better equipped to do it right the first time.

Cost: $75* per session for members, hygienists, assistants, and office staff. Individual registration per session is required.

Sponsored by:
Dr. Trishul Allareddy Presents Current Radiation Protection Guidelines in Dentistry
Tuesday, April 14, 9:00 – 11:00 AM – 2 CEUs
This course satisfies the two-hour dental radiology continuing education requirement for assistants with added qualification in dental radiography. Dr. Allareddy will cover guidelines used for different modalities of dentistry. He will also cover radiation protection requirements both for personnel and patients during these procedures and in the office in general.

Cost: $50* for members, hygienists, assistants, and office staff.

Sponsored by:
*$0 for all Retired Life Members and dental students. Posted fee doubles for any non-member dentist.
Clarification on FMLA Payments
ADA has received clarification from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) regarding Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Under the rule released by DOL on April 1, offices would not be required to pay sick leave or extended family leave if an employee has a child whose school and daycare is closed due to COVID-19, as long as at least one of the following criteria is met:

  1. The leave would cause the small employer’s expenses and financial obligations to exceed available business revenue and cause the small employer to cease operating at a minimal capacity;
  2. The absence of the employee or employees would pose a substantial risk to the financial health or operational capacity of the small employer because of their specialized skills, knowledge of the business, or responsibilities; or,
  3. The small employer cannot find enough other workers who are able, willing, and qualified, and who will be available at the time and place needed, to perform the labor or services the employer or employees requesting leave provide, and these labor or services are needed for the employer to operate at a minimal capacity.
Taking Care of Yourself During COVID-19
To say the last few weeks have been stressful is like calling the Rocky Mountains a hill. It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, and worry during this time. The CDC has steps to help cope with this uncertain time:

  • Take care of your body - eat a well-balanced diet, exercise, and get plenty of sleep.
  • Connect with others - maintain healthy relationships.
  • Take breaks - allow yourself to unwind; do an activity you enjoy.
  • Stay informed - access information from trusted sources and avoid rumors (especially on social media).
  • Avoid too much exposure to news - the news media is providing a lot of information, including personal stories of loss and other stories that are upsetting and could lead to increased feelings of anxiety.
  • Seek help when you need it.

The ADA has multiple resources available to assist dentists in handling stress during this pandemic on their COVID-19 resource page.
Information Regarding Student Loans
The Federal Student Aid (FSA) has released information regarding student loans, including a lengthy FAQ for borrowers. The FAQ section has information regarding:

  • 0% Interest Period (March 13 - September 30, 2020)
  • Forbearance or the temporary suspension of payments
  • Defaulted loans
  • General loan questions
Dentists Continue to Donate PPE
Earlier this week, the governor thanked dentists for "stepping up" by donating personal protective equipment (PPE). As of April 2, more than 100 dentists have reported donations of personal protective equipment to hospitals, medical clinics, care facilities, and local first responders. These donations include:

  • More than 23,000 masks
  • 19 faceshields
  • Over 600 boxes of gloves
  • 200 gowns
  • 118 containers of CaviWipes

With the addition of the PPE donated from the cancellation of IMOM this year, Iowa's dental community has donated:

  • More than 32,000 masks
  • Over 1,000 boxes of gloves
  • 1,000 gowns
  • 214 containers of CaviWipes

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.

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

  • Dr. Christopher Aldrich, Waterloo
  • Dr. Jim Dempsey, West Des Moines
  • Dr. Nicholas Economos, Des Moines
  • Dr. Benjamin Horton, Cedar Rapids
  • Dr. Douglas Horton, Cedar Rapids
  • Dr. Bob Margeas, Des Moines
  • Dr. Gordon Peterson, Cedar Rapids
  • Dr. Brea Schmidt, Spencer
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.