Online resources aid disaster relief and recovery

The ADA and Iowa Dental Association offer disaster relief and recovery information and assistance for storm-affected dentists. Several government agencies offer other relevant resources, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Internal Revenue Service.

A five-step guide to survival and recovery of a dental business is available online on ADA.org. Born of hurricane experience and contributions of the Florida Dental Association and Florida Dental Health Foundation and funded in part by the ADA Foundation, the disaster planning and recovery package offers guides and resources, worksheets and applications.

Additional disaster preparedness resources for dentists are available on the ADA disaster planning and recovery page.

The purpose of the ADA Foundation disaster assistance grant program is to provide assistance to members of the dental profession affected by disasters and support emergency dental care in areas affected by disasters. The ADAF and Iowa Dental Association relief fund have approved $2,500 matching grants for two storm-affected dentists.

IDA member dentists with storm-affected practices can apply to the IDA for relief funds, an IDA staff member told the ADA News. Although these are viewed by the IDA as ADAF matching funds, dentists can contact the IDA directly or the ADAF to begin the application process. Dentists can call the IDA at 1-800-828-2181 or e-mail the IDA at info@iowadental.org.

OSHA unveiled a flood and tornado cleanup and recovery Web page for employers and employees affected by the Midwest floods and tornadoes with links to more than 40 fact sheets and health tips on decontamination and other hazards. The IRS in regular updates at www.irs.gov offers state- and county-specific tax relief information. The IRS has granted disaster relief for individuals in certain Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin counties. Extension of a June 16 quarterly tax payment deadline is likely for affected taxpayers, the IRS said.