• Since Sunday, March 15, 2020, the KDA has sent over 40 individual COVID-19 email updates to members. In addition, the KDA Facebook, Twitter, and ksdental.org have shown ongoing updates reflecting the latest information regarding dentistry in Kansas and across the nation. These email updates can be found on the specially created COVID-19 Resources page on the KDA website at ksdental.org/virus.

• Early on, the KDA opened a line of communication with the Kansas Department of Labor and human resource professionals to enable staff to better address members’ questions regarding staff unemployment options. This information then became the Dental Practice FAQs During COVID-19 page, which has been posted on ksdental.org and continually updated.

• Contacted dental professional liability carriers and property and casualties about dental office insurance coverage like business disruption policies and the like.

• Working with the American Dental Association (ADA) and our members, the KDA has advocated for financial relief for dentists in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and then, later, the CARES Act.

• Been in constant and ongoing contact with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bureau of Oral Health, Kansas Dental Board, other professional healthcare organizations, and more regarding the latest state activities. 

• KDA Leadership and staff have participated nearly 100 webinars and conference calls in an effort to learn the most current information and then distill the facts into understandable and helpful updates for members.

• Contacted and advocated with the Governor’s office, KDHE, and dental insurers to allow dentists to file claims and receive payment for remote delivery of exams using technology. 

• Communicated and passed along information from out-of-state insurers who were offering financial assistance to their network provider dentists. 

• Was a conduit for members wanting to partner with KDHE to create medical supplies and testing swabs using 3D printer technology. 

• KDA staff have personally responded to a guesstimated 500 phone calls, texts, and emails to members, patients, and staff with specific questions related to COVID-19, and provided personalized answers and resources. Topics have ranged from assisting dentists who are working through unemployment compensation issues, SBA loans, dental insurance reimbursement and credentialing, HIPAA compliance, and everything in between.

• The KDA advocated in support of the state of Kansas making unemployment compensation immediately available to business owners/sole proprietors.

• In recognition of the stress and anxiety the COVID-19 pandemic is having on small business employers, specifically dentists, the KDA Wellness Committee provided resources online to assist dentists cope with the stresses of the current situation.

• In an effort to provide some financial assistance to members, the KDA deferred all members’ dues installments in April and May. 

• Created a Task Force to look at dental office reopening issues like widespread testing, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements and availability, and more.

• The KDA will continue to work on members’ behalf throughout the rest of this pandemic and into the future. The KDA will continue to communicate with members through KDA COVID-19 email updates, the KDA Facebook and Twitter pages, and updated posts on the KDA’s COVID-19 Resource Center at ksdental.org/virus.

• During Kansas’ statewide stay-at-home order, at least until May 4, KDA staff will continue to work and be available remotely. Dentists with questions should visit the KDA Staff page at ksdental.org, and then email questions and/or call back request to the appropriate staff person at.