Blog

Sep 13, 2022

Board of Denturists Special Topics Committee Rules Workshop – Sept. 23

The Board of Denturists – Special Topics Committee is holding a series of rules workshops to amend the denturist infection control rules (WAC 246-812-501 - Purpose) and to propose new rules for prefabricated implant abutments. The next meeting is Friday, Sept. 23 at 12:00 PM.

Sep 6, 2022

PNDC 2022 Early Bird Deadline: Sept. 23

Register for PNDC 2022 by Friday, Sept. 23 to save up to $100 per person! WSDA members register for the Early Bird price of just $225 ($325 regular)/$350 ($450 regular).

Sep 2, 2022

Become a Speaker Ambassador to Attend PNDC 2022 for Free

The PNDC Speaker Ambassador Program gives WSDA members and their staff a way to get involved with PNDC by helping to facilitate the needs of our speakers prior to and during the conference while offering registration reimbursement to volunteers.

Aug 31, 2022

Dentists Should Review Their Provider Agreements Each Year

Dentists should evaluate their network provider agreements each year, according to the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs. The ADA has resources to help dentists with insurance issues, including a Contract Negotiation Guide.

Aug 25, 2022

Monkeypox Update for Washington Dentists

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging health care providers to be on the alert for patients with symptoms consistent with monkeypox, including oral lesions, and refer them for testing.

Aug 15, 2022

HCA Releases Confidentiality Toolkit for Providers

​The Health Care Authority (HCA) has released the Washington State Confidentiality Toolkit for Providers, a resource for health care providers required to be compliant with HIPAA and other state laws.

Aug 12, 2022

Board of Denturists Webinar Meeting – Aug. 18

The Board of Denturists will hold a webinar meeting Thursday, Aug. 18 at 3:00 PM and will receive an update from the Special Topics Committee, which has been exploring the ability of a denturist to place a prefabricated abutment.

Aug 10, 2022

Scam Alert: Avoid Fraudulent Individuals Claiming to be State Regulators

The Washington State Department of Health reminds healthcare providers to be on alert for scammers posing as DOH officials or pretending to be Drug Enforcement Administration agents in an attempt to make providers think they are in trouble with DOH or the law, and in danger of discipline or loss of license.

Aug 1, 2022

Updated Apple Health Billing Guide

Attention Medicaid Providers: The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) recently published an update to the Dental-related Services billing guide.

Jul 29, 2022

Pediatric Dental Topics Included in New Pediatric Health Listserv

To align with holistic and integrated health, the Health Care Authority (HCA) has added pediatric dental topics to the newly created Pediatric Health listserv. Last month, HCA announced the creation of this new listserv to ensure providers who offer services to children and youth receive updates specific to pediatric policy and program updates.

Jul 28, 2022

Apple Health (Medicaid) Provider Alert: Attention Orthodontic Providers

Orthodontic billing: Periodic orthodontic treatment visits (CDT® D8670) must be billed in three-month intervals. The first three-month interval begins after the initial placement date. The claim must include the appliance placement date and must match the banding claim that the Health Care Authority (HCA) has reimbursed. If that date does not match, the periodic (D8670) orthodontic treatment claim will be denied

Jul 20, 2022

Invitation to Submit Third Party Comments for Seattle Central College’s Dental Assisting and Hygiene Programs CODA Site Visit

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) will conduct a site visit of Seattle Central College’s dental assisting and hygiene programs on November 8-10, 2022, and, following the standard CODA accreditation process, will consider the program for approval at the CODA January-February Winter meeting. Seattle Central College is calling for third party comments from interested parties on their dental assisting and hygiene programs.

Jul 18, 2022

Reminder: Quarterly Job Title Reporting Requirement

As a reminder, beginning with 2022 fourth quarter unemployment insurance tax reports, employers must include Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes and could face a penalty for incorrect or incomplete reporting.

Jul 10, 2022

Reminder: Dental Laboratory Registration Renewal

As a reminder, in order to remain compliant with RCW 70.352.060, all dental laboratories operating in Washington that provide services for outside dental offices must renew their registration by July 31 of each year.

Jul 7, 2022

DQAC Public Member Vacancy

The Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA), is accepting applications through Aug. 5 to fill one public member vacancy on the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC).

Jul 6, 2022

Entries Sought for 2022 ADA Design Innovation Awards

In search of dental facilities that seamlessly combine esthetic appeal, function and design, the ADA Council on Dental Practice, ADA Member Advantage and BMO Harris Bank are seeking entries from June 20 through Aug. 19 for the 2022 Design Innovation Awards.

Jul 5, 2022

Navigating Group Medical Benefits: Reduce Stress with Professional Guidance

Washington Dentists’ Insurance Agency (WDIA) takes pride in supporting our medical groups with personalized guidance and customer service. As a licensed broker with Regence, Asuris, Kaiser Permanente, and Premera, WDIA welcomes new groups setting up medical policies for the first time and those who have existing policies with these carriers.

Jun 23, 2022

Avoid Breaches and Fines: Free Webinar July 19

Whether you are a small dental office or large group practice, HIPAA data breaches and violations can occur if you are not taking the proper steps to protect your practice. Learn how to keep your practice from harm with the free webinar Simple Steps to Avoid Breaches and Fines on July 19 at 10 AM PT.

Jun 22, 2022

Earn 20+ CE Credits for One Low Price at PNDC 2022

Registration is now open for the 2022 Pacific Northwest Dental Conference! Join thousands of dental professionals November 10-12 in Seattle for three days of world-class dental CE (earn 20+ credits!), a two-day exhibit hall and more.

Jun 8, 2022

Ask Congress to Support the REDI Act & Student Loan Reform

Tell your members of Congress to support the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. If enacted, this bill would allow dental and medical residents to automatically defer payments on their federal student loans until after their dental or medical residency is completed. It would also suspend the accrual of interest during their residency period.

Jun 5, 2022

Take the Dental Office Impacts Survey by June 15

WSDA and Delta Dental of Washington want to hear how the past several years have impacted your dental office and your ability to provide patient care. Take the anonymous survey by Wednesday, June 15.

Jun 3, 2022

WSDA Adopts Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Mission & Strategic Priorities

WSDA has been thoughtfully contemplating a more robust strategy for increasing the diversity of the Association and fostering a more inclusive and equitable organizational culture. In February, the WSDA Board unanimously adopted a DEI mission and strategic priorities focused on leadership development, mentorship, training, self-reflection, and advocacy.