On July 7, due to the collective advocacy efforts of WSDA, the Clark County Dental Society, our members, and other oral health advocacy groups, the Camas City Council voted to maintain access to community water fluoridation.
The Washington State Department of Health recently launched the Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS), a new licensing system for all healthcare professionals and facilities. HELMS brings applications and credentialing online through a modern, self-service user portal.
Join dentists from across the state on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Dental Action Day in Olympia to meet with your legislators and advocate for dental benefits reform and other issues affecting the dental profession. One profession, one voice!
Washington state’s 105-day legislative session adjourned on Sunday, April 27, 2025. WSDA advocated in support of as well as in opposition to several bills concerning dental-related issues, workforce challenges, insurance matters, small business issues, employer-employee matters, and other related topics.
Beginning July 1, 2025, reimbursement rates for both adult and pediatric dental Medicaid will decrease. This change is a result of budget cuts enacted by lawmakers during the 2025 legislative session.
"As an employer, providing comprehensive medical coverage keeps your practice running reliably because team members can access the care they need to stay well."
"We’ve all had mentors who helped us along the way, along with some advisors who have not been helpful. The effective advisor is helpful, courteous and careful."
WSDA recently became aware of email phishing scams affecting Washington dental offices, where unauthorized messages are being sent directly from the office’s legitimate email address. We urge dental offices to review email security measures and to not open attachments or click links in emails unless you’re confident the message is legitimate.
The American Dental Association offers various supports to help its member dentists and dental students get started, including free access to the Well-Being Index, an anonymous, validated assessment and measurement tool developed by Mayo Clinic to address clinician distress and well-being.
Removing fluoride from US public water systems would increase tooth decay by 7.5% and cost at least $9.8 billion over five years, according to estimates in a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association Health Forum.
The American Dental Association will hold a webinar on June 17 covering information for dentists wishing to treat Medicare beneficiaries and outlining other new requirements for Medicare billing set to begin next month.
The ADA is offering its perspective on how certain anticompetitive regulations impact the dental sector, in response to the Federal Trade Commission’s request for information on reducing anticompetitive regulatory barriers.
"It is an extremely busy year of service, but also it is very rewarding and a rich life experience." Dr. Mark Egbert reflects on his years of service and leadership with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
A national conversation surrounding the efficacy of fluoride and community water fluoridation prompted ADA leaders to re-emphasize the need for insurance groups to cover preventive services for patients.
The ADA is commenting on competition in the dental insurance market, applauding the Department of Justice’s renewed focus on competition in health care and offering its perspective on how historically limited competition in dental insurance harms patients and dental professionals.
Thank you to the more than 4,600 attendees who joined us for the 2025 Pacific Northwest Dental Conference last month — you made this year's event a success! Mark your calendars today for more high-quality continuing dental education, dental exhibits and more as PNDC 2026 returns May 28-30 to Summit - Seattle Convention Center.
Beginning July 1, 2025, Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA) will include expanded protections beyond gender to cover additional protected classes. Dentists who employ staff should review and update their hiring, pay, and advancement practices to ensure compliance with the updated EPOA rules. WSDA has created a compliance checklist resource for members.
It’s not too late to receive a membership discount and save on professional liability insurance at the same time! Eligible dentists who purchase MedPro professional liability insurance through WSDA company Washington Dentists’ Insurance Agency (WDIA) receive $250 off 2025 WSDA membership and a 10% premium discount.
The last thing a dental practice owner needs is the added cost, stress and administrative burden of managing an L&I workers' compensation claim if an employee is injured on the job. That’s where WSDA comes in with a free member benefit offering expert oversight and proactive management of L&I claims, all at no cost to members!
New in 2025, members could go above and beyond to champion advocacy efforts with generous extra support for the Association. WSDA would like to thank our 2025 Advocacy Champions for their extra support during the successful first phase of our ongoing campaign for dental benefits reform!
Immediately train new hires on HIPAA, OSHA/WISHA, infection control and other required compliance topics all in one online tool with ComplyBetter, the new dental compliance service from WSDA.
There’s no doubt the practice — and management — of dentistry can escalate stress and anxiety levels. Managing that pressure is important to the health and well-being of individual dentists, as well as the future of the profession.
On Monday, May 12, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed WSDA’s dental benefits reform legislation, Senate Bill 5351, into law. A win for dentists and patients, Senate Bill 5351 makes meaningful progress on several major dental benefits policy issues.
Dentists need quality insurance coverage. Protect your livelihood and your practice. Invest in policies that support your profession. Visit WDIA at Booth #115.
The world—and dentistry—is always evolving. Change can bring both opportunities and challenges, and your approach to it matters. Visit Omni Practice Group at Booth #613.
Your job as a dentist has unique risks and challenges. MedPro Group keeps you safe with the industry’s leading dental malpractice insurance. Visit MedPro at Booth #212.
Near the end of the 2025 legislative session, WSDA joined a health care coalition effort to advocate against B&O tax increases for health care providers, including dentists. Advocacy efforts resulted in no B&O tax increase for most dentists.
Share your dental workforce challenges through the 2025 WA Health Sentinel Survey. Survey results will be shared with key policymakers and other stakeholders to inform the policy development and funding decisions impacting our vital health workforce.
Earn 2 CE credits by attending the webinar, The Transition Trap: Key Mistakes to Avoid Before, During and After a Transition, presented by OMNI Practice Group on Tuesday, May 20.
The Washington State Legislature is currently negotiating our next state budget and is facing potential cuts to many state programs. Please take just a few moments today to urge legislators to maintain the current funding level for adult and pediatric dental Medicaid reimbursement rates in the final version of the budget.
WSDA is thrilled to share that our dental benefits reform bill, SSB 5351, has now passed both chambers of the Legislature! Our bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature to finalize its passage in the 2025 Legislative Session.
The nonprofit created by retired Issaquah periodontist Theresa Cheng now provides comprehensive oral health care for veterans and their spouses on a national level. Connecting veterans with local dentists is vital to E4V’s mission. Finding dentists willing to share their talents and expertise is at the heart of what Everyone for Veterans is all about.
The average dentist faces a malpractice claim at least once. Selecting a malpractice insurance carrier with the stability and expertise to protect your good name is crucial.
"We must act now to grow a movement to a critical mass of voices — slowly, strategically, and peacefully. Bottling up our silent bitterness and fantasies of revenge are neither healthy nor effective."
SSB 5351 — WSDA’s dental benefits reform legislation — is now in the Rules Committee, the last step before moving to the floor of the Washington State House of Representatives. You can help SSB 5351 pass out of the House of Representatives.