Blog

May 4, 2026

The Future is Now: Q&A with Washington Dental Students

Last fall, Washington state opened its second dental school with the launch of the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences School of Dental Medicine in Yakima. WSDA thought it would be timely to check in with students from both PNWU and the University of Washington, to see what issues are top of mind among the next generation of dentists.

Apr 30, 2026

Review Your HIPAA Security Risk Assessment

With an announcement expected this May about significant changes to the HIPAA Security Rule, it’s a good time for WSDA members to take stock of their offices’ HIPAA and overall compliance practices. We suggest dentists start by reviewing what our team consistently finds to be one of the most common HIPAA compliance gaps — the Security Risk Assessment (SRA).

Apr 29, 2026

HIPAA Security Rule – Proposed Rulemaking Update

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights is expected to announce significant changes to the HIPAA Security Rule in May 2026, including requirements for encryption of electronic protected health information, multi-factor authentication and more.

Apr 23, 2026

Giving Back: Focusing on Food Insecurity

“Access to food can make a meaningful difference in their well-being and academic success. When students are worried about where their next meal will come from, sometimes not just for themselves but also for their families, it becomes much harder to focus on the already demanding nature of their academic work.”

Apr 16, 2026

Dr. Richard Rosato: Leading Dentistry Forward, Together

"Across the tripartite, our greatest strength is our ability to move forward together. We have an opportunity to work collectively to make a lasting impact for those we serve — now and in the future. As your national association, the ADA has both the responsibility and the opportunity to help lead that work and shape what comes next."

Mar 20, 2026

SCAM ALERT: Callers Impersonating WSDA

This afternoon, WSDA became aware of a potential phone scam targeting an unknown number of Washington dental offices. The caller(s) may be impersonating or "spoofing" WSDA's phone numbers (206) 448-1914 or (800) 448-3368 and asking dentists to provide their dental license number. This is not WSDA calling.

Mar 19, 2026

Become a Speaker Ambassador to Attend PNDC 2026 for Free

The PNDC Speaker Ambassador Program gives WSDA members and their staff a way to get involved at PNDC by assisting our speakers prior to and during the conference. Plus, Speaker Ambassadors can receive registration reimbursement for volunteering!

Mar 3, 2026

License Credentialing Freeze: March 18-24, 2026

Ahead of the Department of Health’s HELMS launch, all licensing and credentialing systems will be unavailable from 5 PM on Wednesday, March 18, until the morning of Tuesday, March 24, 2026. To avoid potential lapses in licensure, dentists who renew in March should renew early and practice owners should inform applicable staff of the upcoming freeze.

Mar 2, 2026

Join WSDA & Dandy for an Evening at Canlis

Join WSDA and proud sponsor Dandy for a free evening at Canlis on Friday, March 27! Come mix and mingle with fellow WSDA member dentists while discovering how Dandy’s innovative digital workflows are transforming practices.

Mar 2, 2026

Earn Required CE at PNDC 2026

Licensed Washington dentists must earn 63 hours of continuing education every three years, plus complete a variety of additional CE requirements. Earn 20+ CE credits May 28-30 at PNDC 2026 — including many that count toward additional requirements for dentists. Register by the April 10 Early Bird Deadline to save up to $100 per person!

Feb 27, 2026

ADA Backs Independent Fluoride Review at House Hearing

The ADA is urging lawmakers to bolster scientific oversight of potential federal fluoride regulations in a statement submitted for the record at a Feb. 24 hearing of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment titled “From Source to Tap: A Hearing to Examine Challenges and Opportunities for Safe, Reliable, and Affordable Drinking Water.”

Feb 25, 2026

Apply for WSDA & ADA Elected Positions

WSDA Members: Take your leadership skills to the next level and apply today for an open WSDA or ADA elected leadership position! Elections will be held at the 2026 WSDA House of Delegates, September 17-19 in Spokane.

Feb 12, 2026

Announcing the Campaign for Dental Futures: A Tribute to the Work of Dr. Linda Edgar

WSDA is excited to announce that the WSDA Foundation has pledged $1 million to support the creation of the Simulation Lab at the new Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences School of Dental Medicine in Yakima, named in honor of Washington’s own Dr. Linda Edgar. Through this campaign, dentists and supporters have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of dentistry in Washington state and beyond.

Feb 9, 2026

ADA: EPA Initiates Accelerated Review of Fluoride in Drinking Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has initiated an accelerated review of fluoride in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The action marks the first step in an expedited process to evaluate potential health effects associated with fluoride exposure and could inform future regulatory decisions related to drinking water standards for the entire country.

Feb 2, 2026

February 16 HIPAA Deadline: Update Your Notice of Privacy Practices

By February 16, 2026, all HIPAA-covered entities — including dental practices — must update their Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) to include specific information about how they handle substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records protected under federal law, and train their workforce on these updates. Learn more and see resources available from WSDA and ADA.

Jan 29, 2026

Unlock Job & Practice Opportunities with WSDA Classifieds

Whether you’re a dentist looking to grow your career or a practice owner ready to make a change, the WSDA Classifieds section is your centralized resource. This platform is tailored specifically to the job and practice search needs of dentists across the state.

Jan 13, 2026

Giving Back: "I Know This Works"

Spice Isle Smiles is transforming children’s oral health in Grenada by delivering comprehensive, school-based dental care to rural primary schools. Founded by Dr. Brian Holmes and Tammy Holmes, the nonprofit is creating lasting, generational change by ensuring young students have access to the care they need to grow up healthy and confident.

Jan 13, 2026

Steps to Take if Facing Collection Notices on Defaulted Loans

Experts indicated that acting quickly may be critical among federal student loan borrowers at risk of a portion of their wages being seized. Although wage garnishment was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the U.S. Department of Education announced plans to resume seizing the wages, federal tax refunds, Social Security retirement and disability benefits of those who have defaulted on their loans.

Dec 24, 2025

ADA: Deleted CDT Codes You Should Know for 2026

CDT 2026 boasts 60 code changes, including six deletions. Find information here to help you prepare for these deleted codes come Jan. 1, 2026. Deletions include preventive resin restorations, vaccine administrations, non-intravenous conscious sedation and more.

Dec 23, 2025

Faith, Family & Friends: Dr. Kim Nordberg, WSDA 2025 Citizen of the Year

What is the best way to measure Dr. Kim Nordberg's legacy? It's not in buildings, though that could be part of the answer. Nor is it in accolades and awards, though there were those, too, including being honored as this year's recipient of the WSDA Citizen of the Year award. No, the real measure of his legacy is in lives touched.

Dec 16, 2025

Your Association in Action

WSDA’s recent successes and future priorities underscore the Association’s strong value to the profession. As Washington’s leading advocate for dentists, WSDA is uniquely committed to addressing unfair insurance practices, rising costs and regulations, workforce shortages, and other challenges affecting dentists and their patients.