Category: Coronavirus/COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is distributing financial assistance to health care providers impacted by COVID-19, through the Provider Relief Fund. Assistance for dental providers is currently available, but the deadline to submit applications is Aug. 3. The Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal is open to eligible ... [continue reading]

If a staff member tests positive for COVID-19 or must self-quarantine because of a COVID-19 exposure, employers are required to pay those staff members while they are out. The Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFRCA) requires employers to pay up to 80 hours (or prorated equivalent for part-time workers) of time off at full pay (up to ... [continue reading]

Dentists who were previously ineligible for relief from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Provider Relief Fund can now apply to receive funding. HHS has announced $175 billion in relief funds, including to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response as part of the Coronavirus Aid, ... [continue reading]

Currently the state of Ohio does not require people who travel out of state to quarantine upon their return. Dentists should consider their office policy and professional judgment when determining whether they or their staff members should quarantine after travel. It's also important to be aware that the requirements in Ohio could change ... [continue reading]

Ohio's Interim Director of Public Health Lance Himes recently signed an order that requires people to wear a mask in counties designated as a Level 3 or 4 public health emergency. This requirement applies to any indoor location that is not a residence. There are some exceptions, including when an individual is alone in an enclosed ... [continue reading]

Representative Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) recently introduced legislation that would require dental insurers to pay for a portion of expenses related to dentists' additional PPE costs in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. House Bill 681 requires that health benefit plans that provide coverage for dental care services “shall provide a ... [continue reading]

Representative Jon Cross (R-Kenton) recently introduced House Bill 623, which would permit Ohioans to take a temporary state income tax deduction for out-of-pocket dental expenses. ODA president Dr. Sharon Parsons expressed appreciation for Representative Cross’ willingness to introduce the tax deduction bill. She pointed out that “while ... [continue reading]

The Ohio Dental Association recently launched a radio and digital advertising campaign about seeing a dentist in our post-COVID world. The radio ad explains how regular dental care ensures that we have good oral health and good overall health. It also discusses some of the new safety measures that may be in place at dental offices in Ohio. The ad ... [continue reading]

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many dentists to reassess what levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) are appropriate for different procedures. As a result of this reassessment, some dentists have decided to require the use of respirators by certain dental team members while others have opted to simply make respirators available for staff ... [continue reading]

Ohio Dental Association Executive Director David J. Owsiany recently provided testimony to the Ohio House Civil Justice Committee in favor of legislation providing certain professionals and businesses qualified immunity from civil liability and other professional discipline for actions taken related to the current coronavirus pandemic. Owsiany ... [continue reading]