Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a "dire time" for public health and the dental profession, the California Dental Association had to return 1 million face masks given by the state to protect dentists, according to a March 25 letter written by CDA President Richard Nagy, DDS.
CDA received about a million expired 3M N95 masks from California's emergency stockpile two weeks ago, Dr. Nagy wrote. The masks were intended to protect dentists providing emergency dental treatment. However, after the masks were delivered, the state directed CDA to return them, despite the association's attempts to keep some masks.
Currently, the CDA and American Dental Association in Washington, D.C., are advocating for flexibility regarding unemployment benefits and sick leave for dentists.
"We will ensure that long-term, low-interest or no-interest loans be made available," Dr. Nagy wrote about the latest relief package. The associations are also working with dental benefit providers to create loan or grant programs that let dentists maintain provider networks and keep treating patients.