The association will distribute the first allotment of 350,000 masks to dentists working in 17 states and one territory where PPE is in low supply.
The American Dental Association (ADA) has received 350,000 3M-manufactured KN95 masks from the national stockpile, according to ADA News. The association is distributing these masks to dentists working in states where personal protective equipment (PPE) is in low supply.
The ADA secured the masks following meetings with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the White House Task Force for COVID-19 Response. FEMA has promised to send additional masks—up to 1.5 million total—in future installments, according to the ADA. HHS is reportedly providing the 3M-manufactured masks in periodic allotments, and the ADA will distribute to the states and territories most in need.
The ADA said it prioritized which states receive the masks first using data derived from the ADA Health Policy Institute survey and the ADA Department of State Government of Affairs. Seventeen states and one territory were identified for the first allotment and invited to request masks. Dentists on this priority list received email invitations June 2 to request their 25-pack of KN95 masks.
The cost of the masks is free; however, recipients are paying a shipping and handling fee of $26.50.
“Our main goals remain to get the masks to dentists in states we know are broadly open for patients and who have not received PPE from other sources,” said Jim Goodman, senior vice president, ADA Business Group, whose division is coordinating distribution efforts. “We wish we could provide masks to all dentists, but right now there is a limited supply. We will continue working with federal agencies to secure more PPE.”
Based on additional inventory from HHS, states will be added in priority order.
“The ADA recognizes that these types of distributions of PPE are only a short-term solution,” said Chad P. Gehani, DDS, ADA president. “We will continue to work on the dental community’s behalf with manufacturers, distributors and government agencies. We want to ensure that PPE supply meets demand in the months to come.”