May 6, 2020 | Issue 37
Reopening Resources Available on IDA Website
During yesterday’s IDA Virtual Townhall , the new online resource page for reopening Iowa dental offices was unveiled. The page contains the recommendations and resources from the Dental Office Reopening Task Force including:

  • Sample office policies
  • Information for patients – What to Expect for Dental Visits
  • COVID-19 Informed Consent Agreement
  • Recommendations for aerosol-generating procedures
  • Nitrous Oxide resources

Additional information and resources will be added as they become available. Please contact IDA staff if you have questions regarding the information on this site. 
IDB Hosting Live Q&A Regarding New Guidelines for Reopening
On Thursday, May 7 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM, the Iowa Dental Board will host a live Q&A session concerning the Guidelines for the Safe Transition Back to Practice that the Board adopted yesterday. Submit your questions in advance to jill.stuecker@iowa.gov.

To join this session:

To join the meeting by phone: 408-418-9388 
Meeting number: 627 588 065

Password: 3DpmQTUUU23 (33767888 from phones)
Contact Congress to Provide Relief for Dentists
Dental professionals are urged to contact their federal legislators to expand on some of the provisions in the CARES Act and address other issues related to the pandemic. The ADA is recommending the following provisions be included in the next COVID-19 relief bill:

  • Flexibility within the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), to allow owners to make appropriate decisions about staffing and payroll based on their reopening plans.
  • Ensure adequate oversight over the distribution of PPP loans and forgiveness provisions.
  • Intensify the production of PPE.
  • Provide tax credits or allow PPP funds to be used to purchase PPE.
  • Provide targeted liability protections to allow dentists to administer COVID-19 testing.

Through the ADA Legislative Action Center, anyone may submit the form letter or a personalized letter to their legislators. Take action today!
Protect Your Practice - Live Cybersecurity Webinar Coming May 8
Teledentistry. Webinars. Coding and billing. With everything from our daily lives being uprooted to a digital platform amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it's more important than ever to protect your practice from cyber risks. Medix Dental IT specialist Tom Terronez will alleviate your fears and address your cybersecurity concerns in a FREE live webinar at 12:00 PM on Friday, May 8 . A recorded version of the webinar will become available to registrants on May 11 if you are unable to attend the live session.
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 allow for 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 if you are unable to attend the live session.
PPE Survey
IDA has received multiple calls from dentists and offices regarding obtaining required PPE. To gain a sense of the amount of PPE dental offices currently have on hand, we ask that you complete the IDA PPE Survey. The survey will remain open until midnight tonight . 
Governor's Daily Press Conferences
Governor Reynolds continues to conduct daily press conferences at 11:00 AM. Access the press conferences via  Facebook and on many local news channels.

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.