May 8, 2020 | Issue 39
IDB Releases FAQ on Reopening Guidance
Yesterday the Iowa Dental Board (IDB) hosted a webinar to answer questions regarding the Guidelines for the Safe Transition Back to Practice. The Board has made the recording of the webinar and the FAQ document used during the webinar available on their website.
CDC and OSHA Encouraged to Update Guidelines to Reflect Reopening of Dental Offices
The IDA has received a number of questions related to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) indicating that only urgent and emergency dental procedures should be performed during the ongoing pandemic. These agencies issued this guidance before many states started easing restrictions to allow dentists to resume performing routine dental care, but the CDC and OSHA guidance remains. In a letter dated May 6, 2020, the ADA encouraged the CDC and OSHA to update their guidelines to reflect the reopening of dental offices in many parts of the country, such as Iowa. The IDA is continuing to monitor this situation closely and will continue to provide updates.
Open for Business
As of 5:00 AM today, dental offices were able to return to practice, as long as they are meeting the requirements from the May 6 Governor’s proclamation. The ability to reopen offices has attracted media coverage. IDA President Dr. Ryan Stuntz, Farley, and IDA Vice President Dr. Zach Kouri, Des Moines, were featured in a Des Moines Register article and Dr. Kouri was also included in a WHOTV13 story yesterday. During these stories both dentists discussed their plans for reopening their offices. IDA has resources available for dentists on the Reopening Recommendations and Guidelines page on our website.
ADA Provides Tips for Identifying Counterfeit Masks
Securing proper PPE is one of the top concerns facing dentists as offices are now able to reopen. Unfortunately, many fraudulent companies are producing counterfeit products and trying to sell to dental practices. The ADA has created a tip sheet for identifying these fake products based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The IDA encourages all dentists to exercise caution when purchasing PPE from sources that are not typically used by your practice, and to carefully vet each company and/or product before buying.
Teledentistry - The Hidden Gem of Dentistry Webinar Available On-Demand
Many offices have been practicing teledentistry more frequently amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday's members-only live webinar Teledentistry - The Hidden Gem of Dentistry with Laurie Owens is now available on-demand to all dentists and staff to help answer any questions that may still remain as practices continue to utilize teledentistry.
Mental Health Basics for Dentistry Interactive Webinar May 11
Keep up with best practices in treating patients with mental health disorders and interact directly with mental health professional Dr. Elizabeth Worsham during her live webinar at 9:00 AM on Monday, May 11, available to all dentists and staff free of charge. Dr. Worsham will answer questions at the end of her presentation to ensure you are leaving best equipped to meet the needs of all of your patients. A recorded version of the webinar will become available to registrants on May 12 for those unable to attend the live session.
Giving Back to Dentistry and the Community
Those of you who do not know Dr. Sara Stuefen have likely heard her name, most recently for developing the sample office policies for reopening offices available on the IDA website. An article published earlier this week in The Dental Link, University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics publication and Vinton Newspapers illustrates her commitment to the dental profession through her work with the UI College of Dentistry and at the district, state, and national levels of organized dentistry. Dr. Stuefen is also very involved in the Vinton community participating in multiple events throughout the year and serving in leadership roles within local organizations. Learn more about Dr. Stuefen and what practice in a small community means to her in the article below.