COVID-19 Resources
Current Updates
Throughout all the challenges we’ve faced this year, it’s been reassuring to know the ADA’s had our backs.
This informative video demonstrates how the ATA has supported our profession during the pandemic.
ADCPA answers key questions about PPP loan forgiveness
Dental practices that received Economic Injury Disaster Loan grants from the Small Business Administration should remember that if their Paycheck Protection Program loans are forgiven, the amount of forgiveness will be reduced by the amount of their EIDL grant, says Academy of Dental Certified Public Accountants President Allen Schiff. In this Q&A with ADA News, Mr. Schiff also clarifies the implications of recent IRS guidance on deductibility of expenses covered with PPP loan funds and recommended timing for seeking PPP loan forgiveness. The ADA and ADCPA have created and continue to update guidance on SBA loans for dentists.
ADA backs call for streamlined PPP loan forgiveness
A coalition composed of the ADA and more than 100 nonprofit groups, businesses and financial institutions sent a letter to Congress calling for the House and Senate to pass the Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Forgiveness Act to streamline the application process for PPP loan forgiveness, according to ADA News. Under the law, applicants for forgiveness of loans of $150,000 or less would only need to complete a one-page document. The group said an easier process would save more than $7 billion as well as "hours of paperwork," ensuring that businesses can "focus their time, energy and resources back into their business and communities," according to the letter.
Get the COVID-19 & Lab Testing Requirements Toolkit
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, you have been on the forefront of providing essential care to patients. As new testing options become available, many of you have expressed interest in offering your patients rapid response, point-of-care COVID-19 testing where you work when available.
To help guide you through the process of applying for the federal certification required in order to offer COVID-19 rapid response testing, the ADA has developed the COVID-19 & Lab Testing Requirements Toolkit. As a benefit of your ADA membership, you can download this step-by-step guide to providing COVID-19 testing for your patients right now.
The toolkit includes information about:
- The Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA)
- State laboratory testing regulations
- How to apply for a Federal Certificate of Waiver, and
- Test reporting requirements
Vaccine Allocation Framework Identifies Dentists As Essential
The ADA News (10/2, Burger) reports dentists and dental hygienists “are essential health care workers who should be afforded early access to a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a vaccine distribution framework released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine during an Oct. 2 webinar.” ADA President Chad P. Gehani and ADA Executive Director Kathleen T. O’Loughlin are quoted saying, “We are thrilled that the National Academies has affirmed what we’ve long known. ... Dentistry is an essential health care service and dentists and their teams are essential health care workers.”
The ADA Board of Trustees adopted an ad interim policy stating dentistry is essential health care July 27 to help guide advocacy for the dental profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. The House of Delegates will consider it as a resolution during its virtual meeting in October.
For more information about the ADA’s advocacy efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit ADA.org/COVID19Advocacy.
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2020-archive/october/hhs-announces-phase-3-of-the-provider-relief-fund
New AAP online Career Center now available!
Searching for a job? Looking for the ideal employee? Let the AAP Career Center connect you with the perfect next opportunity in your periodontal career. Visit careers.perio.org to browse job postings for free! The online Career Center will also allow members to upload a resume or CV, post a classified ad to sell a practice, or create a job search.
The Career Center will offer discounted rates for members to post a job listing.
Take advantage of $100 off your first post with the coupon code SUMMER2020 at checkout. The coupon code expires Sept. 30, 2020.
To use the AAP Career Center, members will be required to create an account (including username and password).
Please note: your AAP member login for perio.org does not log you into the Career Center.
Major Updates from HHS on the Provider Relief Fund: Deadline Extended to Aug. 28
Update August 3, 2020 Some more great news!
After extensive lobbying from the ADA’s Government Affairs team, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is extending the deadline to Aug. 28 for all dentists to apply for funding through the Enhanced Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Payment Portal.
Additionally, HHS announced the following major updates impacting some dentists. Starting the week of Aug. 10, and through Aug. 28:
- Dentists who previously received small automatic payments from the General (Medicare) Distribution due to Medicare billings will be allowed to apply and receive additional funding.
- Dentists who experienced a recent change in ownership may submit their revenue information along with documentation proving a change in ownership for consideration for PRF payment.
I urge all dentists to act quickly if you haven’t already. HHS is basing relief payments on 2% of gross revenues for patient care to all eligible providers. The first step in the application process is to validate your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). HHS has also said they will soon be providing a more simplified application form, but please initiate the process of validating your TIN before the deadline. If your TIN is validated after Aug. 28, you will still be permitted to complete your application.
The ADA has created a simple dental FAQ on popular PRF questions as dentists continue applying. A reminder that if you made a mistake and already submitted your application but haven’t received payment yet, HHS allows you to submit a new application and they will use the most recent one. Once you receive payment, however, there is no ability to appeal or dispute a received payment.
Additionally, dentists do not have to participate in Medicaid/CHIP or Medicare to be eligible. Providers also aren’t required to participate in Medicaid, Medicare, or other insurance networks if they accept payment.
Please consult official HHS and ADA resources for reliable information, including the:
For all technical support, as well as service and payment support, HHS has set up a Provider Support Line, 866.569.3522. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, Monday–Friday. Dentists should also review the Terms and Conditions.
The ADA is proud to support dentists as they return to serving their communities. Together, we are driving dentistry forward on its path to recovery. Be sure to visit ADA.org/COVID19Advocacy for regular updates.
Chad P. Gehani, DDS
President
Patient Return: What to Expect After COVID-19
Update July 8, 2020
Download PDF
ADA Update on Resources for Patients and Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Update June 30, 2020
Download PDF
CDC Guidance for Dental Settings
Update: May 26, 2020
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/dental-settings.html
Directory of State and Territorial Health Officials | State Public Health | ASTHO
Update: May 26, 2020 https://www.astho.org/Directory/
Some States Consider Reopening, ADA Offers PPE Guidance to Dentists
Update: May 26, 2020
https://www.ada.org/en/press-room/news-releases/2020-archives/may/as-dental-practices-resume-operations-ada-offers-continued-guidance
The ADA’s Health Policy Institute published the results of a study it conducted examining specialty practice dynamics during the time of COVID. Please click on the link below to review the results: https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Science%20and%20Research/HPI/Files/HPI_COVID_Survey_Specialists.pdf?la=en
Instructions for Making a Face Shield
ADA and OSAP Live Webinar: Respiratory Protection in the Era of COVID-1
Update: April 22, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, dentistry has been introduced to a new level of PPE: the respirator. Join Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention (OSAP) experts Kathy Eklund and Eve Cuny Friday, April 24 at noon CT as they discuss interim recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) in dental settings.
This course will focus on the steps necessary to introduce the use of N95 and other respirators in dental settings. The speakers will provide practical tips for developing the OSHA-required respiratory protection program, including fit-testing, medical evaluation and training. Different levels of surgical masks and how they compare to N95 respirators will be reviewed. In addition, the course will describe the proper steps for donning and doffing of all PPE. The ADA designates this activity as 1 CE credit (pending approval).
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ki6Be_VBRb2Lf4ThBLwUng
A new COVID-19 FAQ resource has been created on ADA Connect at: ADA.org/covid19faq.
Update: April 22, 2020
The FAQs include brief answers to questions received by the MSC and other ADA channels, and direct users to the appropriate ADA webpage, document, or external site (CDC, etc.) for more extensive information. To utilize the search functionality for the FAQs, click on the word “FAQ” directly above the list of Categories, and a search box will appear. A guide for accessing the COVID-19 FAW site is attached to this email.
This information is not intended as a replacement for the ADA.org/virus page and related coronavirus resources, but instead as a supplemental, searchable repository of specific responses to COVID-19-related questions. Topic areas range from HIPAA to PPE to Dental Practice Recovery to SBA loan programs.
Send updates, requests for additional content, and related inquiries to [email protected]
From: District V Trustees, Bill Reeves and Kristi Soileau
To: SWSP Members
Our Vice President, Dr. Christopher Richardson, posted important information this afternoon on the Open Forum regarding the PPP Loan and EIDL. There is concern for small business owners, including dentists, that an interim rule issued on April 2, by the SBA could contradict the congressional intent of the CARES Act on how the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans can be utilized alongside Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
Members are advised to seek as much information as possible about eligibility and restrictions on these loans, especially if you have already applied, or are considering an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Recent SBA and Treasury Department guidance appears as though small businesses will be INELIGIBLE to apply for a PPP loan if they receive EIDL LOAN dollars after APRIL 3, 2020.
The ADA action alert just came out and we are hopeful each and every one of you will click on the link below to make sure our voice is heard in opposition to how the SBA is managing the PPP loan and the EIDL loan program.
ADA Action Alert! Urge SBA and Treasury to clarify 7(a) loan rule>> Urge Secretary Mnuchin to Reconsider the Loan Interim Guidance - ADA Legislative Action Center
As always, please reach out to us with any questions. Stay safe.
Sincerely,
Drs. Bill Reeves and Kristi Soileau
ADA Issues Interim Recommendations
Update April 3, 2020
On April 1, the ADA issued an interim recommendation that dentists keep their offices closed to all but urgent and emergency procedures until April 30 at the earliest.
Dental Organization Letter to Department of Labor
Update April 3, 2020
The ADA and other dental organizations sent a letter to the Department of Labor (DOL) asking that small dental practices be included under this exemption. We additionally asked that the Secretary “not require each dental practice to apply for an exemption.”
Department of Labor (DOL) Issues Rule for H.R. 6201
Update April 3, 2020
On April 1, the DOL issued a rule implementing H.R. 6201.
The AAP is pledging its support to the ADA lobbying efforts. Please consider visiting the ADA legislative action center and signing on to urge Congress to include dentistry in federal relief packages. Please use the link below to access more information:
ADA Legislative Action Center
American Dental Association
American Academy of Periodontology
Governor Abbott issues Executive Order
OSHA Guidelines
Texas Workforce Commission Information
U.S. Small Business Administration
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