At least one American Dental Association member has reported receiving a phishing email appearing to come from an address containing ADA President Chad P. Gehani's name and including a link to "view member's details."

The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry filed comments Feb. 28 on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ proposed 2021 notice of benefit and payment parameters for the Affordable Care Act.

The American Dental Association's Standards Committee on Dental Products and Standards Committee on Dental Informatics are looking for volunteers to help in the development of new projects.

The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards announced March 4 it recognizes the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology as the national certifying board for dental anesthesiology.

The Organized Dentistry Coalition is applauding Congress for introducing legislation aimed at improving oral health literacy.

Oral medicine becomes the 11th dental specialty recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards. The recognition comes after the National Commission on March 2 adopted a resolution based on an application from the American Academy of Oral Medicine to recognized oral medicine as a dental specialty.

The Association is launching in March a new online, on-demand program specifically designed to provide information — from parental leave to financial support — that is tailored to the early-career dentist’s unique work-life balance needs.

Trying to navigate the world of dental benefits can be full of choppy seas, and the ADA is holding a free webinar in April to help dentists and their staff find a safe harbor full of information.

Anaheim, Calif. — The American Association of Dental Editors & Journalists is hosting Dental Editors University West May 14-15 at the Anaheim Hilton in Anaheim, California.

Titled “Compendium of Innovations in Oral Health Service Delivery,” the 64-page digital booklet features organizations from across the country that have found success through varied measures in expanding oral care to underserved populations.

Results from a University of Iowa College of Dentistry study suggest that mild and moderate dental fluorosis is generally less noticeable over time, validating the beliefs of some supporters of community water fluoridation that there have been overestimates of fluorosis prevalence made by anti-fluoridation activists.

The ADA and the Wisconsin Dental Association are partnering up with other fluoridated water proponents to address February anti-fluoridation movements in three Wisconsin municipalities: Lake Delton, Berlin and Hayward.

Ogden, Utah — The Office for Civil Rights announced March 3 that it had reached a settlement with Dr. Steven A. Porter’s medical practice to settle a potential violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act security rule.

The American Dental Association is applauding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to appoint a chief dental officer at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid but would like to confirm the position is exclusive to CMS.

An Illinois orthodontist won the American Dental Association's 2019 John W. Stanford New Investigator Award for her research paper evaluating the effects of eight cleaning methods on copolyester polymer, a material commonly used in clear thermoplastic retainers.

The Howard University College of Dentistry treated 35 students from Washington’s Raymond Elementary School at a Feb. 7 Give Kids A Smile event.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced March 5 that it does not find that the National Toxicology Program adequately supported its conclusion that fluoride is “presumed” to be a cognitive neurodevelopmental hazard to humans.

The question surfaces at the beginning of dental school, maybe even sooner, when the dream first takes hold. What kind of dentist do I want to be? Do I want to be a general dentist? An oral surgeon? A pediatric dentist? Every student’s path to becoming a dentist is unique. Choosing whether to specialize is no different.

The American Dental Education Association announced March 9 it has cancelled its annual session due to the coronavirus disease, now named COVID-19.

The Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach has postponed the Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic scheduled for March 20-21 in Danbury, Connecticut, "out of abundant caution" amid the coronavirus disease outbreak.

The International Association for Dental Research and American Association for Dental Research have canceled their general session scheduled for March 18-21 in Washington, D.C., in light of the coronavirus disease outbreak.

The American Dental Association launched the new ADA Science & Research Institute LLC on Jan. 1, bringing together the Science Institute in Chicago and research group in Gaithersburg, Maryland, that previously reported to the ADA Foundation.

With the coronavirus disease now deemed a pandemic by the World Health Organization, the American Dental Association updated its webpage on the disease March 11 to include a link to frequently asked questions from member dentists covering topics such as personal protective equipment and patient communications.

The American Dental Association is urging Congress to include oral health care providers and their patients in any legislation proposed to confront the coronavirus disease outbreak.

The Association is asking member dentists and their dental teams to increase their vigilance over phishing emails as a result of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19.
Attackers often use emergencies as an opportunity to send fake emails tailored to that situation, the association said.

The ADA is recommending that dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures in response to the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, across the country.

As Congress works on legislation in response to the coronavirus disease outbreak, the ADA is working to ensure that those bills include provisions that are beneficial to dentists — particularly dental practice owners — and their patients.

The ADA provided its members and their patients detailed guidance on March 18 on what to consider dental emergencies and nonemergencies dental care as part of an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and alleviate the burden on hospital and emergency departments.

The ADA is sharing with members the CDC guidelines on the use of personal protective equipment on its website dedicated to COVID-19.

The Senate and House have passed a coronavirus legislation package that includes three issues important to dentistry that will next head to the White House where President Donald Trump is expected to sign it into law.

Taxpayers do not need to file or pay their federal income taxes until July 15, after the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service extended both deadlines from April 15.

On March 20, the ADA will release an on-demand webinar offering answers to frequently asked questions about infection control protocol and procedures related to COVID-19.

The ADA, along with a large group of other dental organizations, told the U.S. Department of Labor that they are concerned about provisions in HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act as related to family and medical leave and paid sick leave.

As Congress works on a third legislation package in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the ADA is asking lawmakers to include provisions on how to assist dental practices and other small businesses facing economic burdens.

Arlington, Va. — The Dental Trade Alliance announced March 10 that it appointed Gregory Chavez as CEO. Mr. Chavez, formerly the executive vice president of operations and membership at The Vision Council, will be taking over for Gary Price.

The ADA is releasing a guide intended to help dental offices navigate issues related to coding and billing for virtual check-ins in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The ADA and nearly 100 other organizations are asking Congress and the White House to help businesses survive the coronavirus crisis by reducing their costs and increasing their cash flow as much as possible in the coming weeks.

The ADA posted an on-demand webinar March 20 offering answers to frequently asked questions about infection control in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ADA on March 20 sent out a Legislative Issues Alert to dentists, assuring them that the Association continues to lobby on their behalf in response to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

Springfield, Virginia — The Drug Enforcement Administration announced that effective March 23, the DEA Call Center has temporarily suspended phone operations due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The ADA is streaming a free practice management webinar March 25 designed to help dentists predict short- and long-term impacts on their business operations during tough economic times and teach them how taking the right steps now can minimize their risk during the COVID-19 outbreak and its aftermath.

The extension comes after it was announced the program will now be held Oct. 22-23 in Atlanta due to concerns over COVID-19. LEAP was originally set for May 7-8.

The Health Resources and Services Administration says it is working to keep health centers and health center program partners updated on the latest information regarding COVID-19.

The American Dental Association is urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide immediate guidance on the best way to protect dental patients and staff from the transmission of COVID-19 during emergency and urgent care situations.

Following several days of discussions, legislators reached a deal early March 25 on a $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at helping the people, states and businesses devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Posterior multiunit zirconia-ceramic restorations are slightly more susceptible to chipping of the veneering ceramic than metal-ceramic restorations, but they are considered a reliable treatment in the medium term, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the April issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association.

Beginning March 25, the ADA is offering members two free e-books a week. Until March 31, members can access “Managing the Regulatory Environment: Best Practices” and “A Dentist’s Guide to the Law: 228 Things Every Dentist Should Know” free of charge.

Given recent school cancellations and state orders to shelter in place, some households may be experiencing the strain of sharing family computers. ADA Member Advantage states that members are eligible for savings of up to 46% on select items from their endorsed technology provider, Lenovo, during a special sale on computers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced March 24 that it is alerting health care professionals, patients and caregivers of EpiPen autoinjector errors related to device malfunctions and user administration.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency announced March 13 that it was adding nearly 200 additional products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19.