March 26, 2020 | Issue 7
Senate Passes CARES Act
The ADA reported that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act unanimously passed the Senate on March 25. The CARES Act is a $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at providing assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full ADA statement, which details the bill. The bill will now head to the House where a vote is expected on March 27.

One of the items highlighted in the statement is the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) through the Small Business Administration (SBA), which establishes an emergency grant to allow a dental practice to apply for a loan of up to $10,000 that must be distributed within three business days. The money may be used to pay employee sick leave, mortgage or rent, and other overhead expenses. Click here to view the EIDL application form. Additional information is available on the SBA loan site .

The ADA is providing two webinars this week with information on how the CARES Act will affect dental practices:

Friday, March 27, 11:00 AM - Noon - What's in the CARES Act and How It Can Immediately Impact My Dental Practice - Register Now

Friday, March 27, 2:00 - 3:30 PM - Dental Practice Financial Issues Surrounding COVID-19 - Register Now
Iowa Dental Board Announces CE/Licensure Updates
In a , The Iowa Dental Board (IDB) issued a press release earlier today, detailing updates regarding self-study CE. The IDB will lift the 12-hour limit on self-study CE for both dentists renewing in 2020 and dental hygienists and assistants renewing in 2021. This allows for remaining CEs needed for licensure renewal to be taken online.

IDA is working with many of the speakers scheduled to present at IDEAS20 to offer online versions of their sessions. CEs will be available for these online sessions, and IDA is prioritizing the sessions required for licensure. Information regarding these courses should be released next week.
Additional Information on FFCRA
A recent blog post from BrownWinick Law Firm provides some additional information on the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (DOL) regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) . Information regarding this Act is still limited, but the blog does include information on the following items:

  • Small employer exception
  • When to expect formal regulations
  • Effective date of April 1
  • Regulate rate of pay calculation
Donate PPE
The need for personal protective equipment (PPE) continues. If you have PPE that you are able and willing to donate please complete the donation form.

Many of you have been contacted by your local hospitals and other healthcare facilities for donations. If you donate directly to the facilities, please contact IDA with a list of the items donated and the name of the facility donated to. IDA is tracking the amount of PPE donated by Iowa dentists. Thank you to everyone who has generously donated PPE to assist with the national shortage!

Follow us on Facebook to view pictures that dentists have submitted delivering donations and be sure to tag us in your donation posts. Pictured is Dr. Tyler Villiard of Carlisle (L) and Dr. Zach Kouri of Urbandale (R).

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

  • Dr. Steven Bradley, Cascade
  • Dr. John E. Campbell, Des Moines
  • Dr. John L. Campbell, Des Moines
  • Dr. Eric De Boef, Montezuma
  • Dr. Bryn Boswell, Oskaloosa
  • Dr. Shamayne Frank, Sioux City
  • Dr. Terry Geneser, Cedar Rapids
  • Dr. Nathan Hall, Iowa City
  • Dr. Jinny Cho Hanson, Hiawatha
  • Dr. Nathan Hehr, Mason City
  • Dr. J.J. Heying, Hiawatha
  • Dr. Mindy Hochgesang, Davenport
  • Dr. DaNae Krutzfeldt, Davenport
  • Dr. Kari Leibrand, Mason City
  • Dr. Katie Milden, Cedar Rapids
  • Dr. Stephanie Nettleton, Mason City
  • Dr. Craig Peterson, Davenport
  • Dr. Alison Ray, Iowa City
  • Dr. Karen Runde, Dyersville
  • Dr. Mark Schemmel, Dubuque
  • Dr. Julia Stanley, Hiawatha
  • Dr. James Steer, Clinton
  • Dr. Melanie Stuntz, Farley
  • Dr. Sarah Swenson, Cedar Rapids
  • Dr. Juan Uribe, Sioux Center
  • Dr. Kara Weishaar, Reasnor
  • Dr. Joe Wertz, Dubuque
  • Dr. Matthew Wettach, Mt. Pleasant
  • Dr. Amy Wilken, Hiawatha
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.