May 21, 2020 | Issue 48
Honoring Outgoing IDA President, Dr. Ryan Stuntz
Last week was bittersweet for the IDA Board, as we said goodbye to several Board members and installed the 2020-2021 IDA Board of Trustees. Like everything else right now, the installation of officers looked a little different this year. We didn’t get a chance to publicly recognize our great leaders in person at the annual session, which we plan to do next year when we are all able to gather together again. In the meantime, we want to thank our outgoing President, Dr. Ryan Stuntz, for his exceptional leadership over the past year, and especially the past several months. 
 
While you have no doubt seen Dr. Stuntz actively involved in IDA for many years as he moved from the role of the Dubuque District Trustee to Vice President to President-Elect and finally President, his leadership was put to the test when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Although several months ago none of us could have anticipated what life would look like now, Dr. Stuntz’s steadfast leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic was second to none. He fearlessly led IDA through the unique and unexpected challenges that each and every day presented. It would be nearly impossible to count up all of the conference calls, townhall meetings, emergency board meetings, phone calls, task force meetings, Zoom calls, emails, and text messages Dr. Stuntz has been a part of over the past few months – all in an effort to support our members and collectively identify the best path forward.
 
Those of you who know Dr. Stuntz know that he has been involved and participating at the level of a president long before taking on the role, and he leaves behind a legacy that all IDA members should feel proud to be a part of. Dr. Stuntz has tirelessly cared about dentistry in Iowa and has fought hard for IDA members, even when it wasn’t necessarily what he personally agreed with or planned to do. That is the sign of a true leader.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Stuntz on a job well done. We will miss having him at the helm of the IDA Board, and we thank him for his exceptional leadership during these challenging times. In recognition for all he’s done, we put together a short slideshow looking back on Dr. Stuntz’s involvement in IDA through the years. 
Guide to Coding and Billing for PPE
The ADA released a guide on coding and billing for protective personal equipment. This guide includes information and responses to frequently asked questions, especially those regarding charges for PPE when participating with third-party payment programs. Some third-party payers are launching programs to provide financial support for dental offices to support the increased cost of PPE. A tracking sheet of payer policies is included in the guide. For questions about billing and coding, contact dentalbenefits@ada.org .
IEDA Survey to Assess the Impact of COVID-19
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is requesting assistance in determining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa. They have developed a survey to assess how businesses, including dental offices, are handling the current crisis. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, May 29 at 5:00 PM.