Blog

Feb 3, 2022

ADA Q&A Covers Impact of the No Surprises Act

The ADA received questions from members about the No Surprises Act, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2022, and its implications for dental practices.

Feb 3, 2022

Attention: Long-Term Care Program Delay

Governor Inslee and Democratic Leadership announced today that the implementation of the Long-term Services and Supports Trust (LTSS) program will be paused for the time being. Originally set to become effective Jan. 1, 2022, the delay of the program means that employers can also delay assessing the .58% premium on employee wages.

Feb 1, 2022

Attention Practice Owners: Sign Up for WSDA Retro by March 1

If you're a WSDA member who owns a dental practice, make sure you enroll for free in WSDA Retro to utilize the full value of your membership! The next quarterly enrollment deadline is March 1.

Feb 1, 2022

Apply to Serve on the Dental Quality Assurance Commission by March 30

The Department of Health is currently accepting applications for dentist vacancies on the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC). Apply by March 30.

Feb 1, 2022

Free Virtual CE: Global Diagnosis and Digital Smile Design – A New Synergy

WSDA has partnered with local dental societies around the state to offer free virtual CE to members. Register now for "Global Diagnosis and Digital Smile Design – A New Synergy" with Dr. J. William Robbins on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

Jan 27, 2022

Be Alert: Member Reports Theft During Working Interview

A member dentist who recently experienced theft from his office while conducting a working interview shares advice for other dentists.

Jan 27, 2022

ADA Webinar Features Introduction to Dental PPO Plans

The ADA is presenting a free webinar in February that explains the basics of how preferred provider organization plans operate so that both new and existing office staff and dentists will be better able to support patients with these plans.

Jan 20, 2022

WSDA and Delta Dental of Washington Team Up to Tackle Dental Workforce Issues

WSDA and Delta Dental of Washington are teaming up on a comprehensive strategy to reduce dental workforce shortages in the state.

Jan 19, 2022

Regulatory Update – January 2022

Learn more about modifications to dentist continuing education, dentist retired active status, and delegation of the COVID-19 vaccination to hygienists.

Jan 19, 2022

Health Care Authority Billing and Reimbursement Survey

In order to improve the Health Care Authority (HCA) website billing and reimbursement experience, HCA is asking providers to complete a short survey by Jan. 28.

Jan 14, 2022

DQAC Dental Educational Outreach Committee – Jan. 20

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next Dental Educational Outreach Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 12:00 PM.

Jan 14, 2022

DQAC Business Meeting – Jan. 21

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting on Friday, Jan. 21 at 8:30 AM.

Jan 13, 2022

Dental Offices Not Included in New Pause on Non-Urgent Procedures at Hospitals

WSDA has received direct confirmation from the Governor’s Office that the pause on non-urgent procedures does not include dental offices or other non-hospital-based health care settings.

Jan 12, 2022

Free Webinar: Cultivating Leadership Skills Through Coaching and Mentoring

Join ADA member and certified professional life coach Dr. Cathy Hung at 5:00 PM PT on Jan. 25 for the free webinar "Cultivating Leadership Skills Through Coaching and Mentoring."

Jan 12, 2022

Task Force Soliciting Dental Community Input on Enhancing CDT Code

A new task force is asking the dental community to weigh in on a project that could revamp and enhance the existing Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature — better known as the CDT Code. The deadline for written comments is Jan. 14.

Jan 11, 2022

Provider Relief Fund Webinar Set for Jan. 12

The Health Resources and Services Administration is hosting a free webinar on Jan. 12 to provide technical assistance on reporting requirements for providers who received funding in the second phase of the Provider Relief Fund.

Jan 10, 2022

WSDA Launches “Stop Big Sugar” Campaign

We are proud to announce the launch of “Stop Big Sugar,” a WSDA-funded campaign to improve the transparency of public advocacy efforts here in Washington state.

Jan 5, 2022

CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidance for Health Care Personnel

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its COVID-19 guidance for health care workers.

Jan 4, 2022

ADA Resumes Third Party Payer Concierge Program

The service, which assists dentists with insurance questions and concerns with third party payers, is for member dentists only and can be accessed by calling 1-800-621-8099 or emailing dentalbenefits@ada.org.

Jan 3, 2022

Get Ready for the New Year With up to 60% Off Lenovo Tech

Are you prepared for the new year? Get 2022 ready with upgraded PCs, accessories and more from ADA-endorsed Lenovo! Receive up to 60% off award-winning technologies from Lenovo, now through Jan. 9, 2022, while supplies last.

Dec 29, 2021

Nominate a New Dentist for the 2022 ADA 10 Under 10 Award by Dec. 31

Developed by the ADA New Dentist Committee in 2017, this award recognizes 10 amazing dentists who graduated from dental school less than 10 years ago. Nominate a member by Dec. 31!

Dec 28, 2021

HPI Seeks Dentists In New Survey Panel to Track Economic, Operational Impact

The ADA Health Policy Institute’s monthly COVID-19 economic results poll is evolving for 2022 and the institute is recruiting dentists to join the new survey panel.

Dec 27, 2021

Talking About Fees is One of the Most Important Conversations

The conversation about fee and payment arrangement is one of the most important you have with patients. Learn more with a free e-book from CareCredit.

Dec 23, 2021

Poll Finds Reduced Capacity, Increased Hiring at Dental Practices

Results from HPI’s most recent wave of its COVID-19 Economic Impact poll, collected the week of November 15, show hope among the ongoing challenges faced by dentists across the U.S.

Dec 22, 2021

New Guides Cover Sharing of Patient Health Information

The American Dental Association has helped develop two recently published guides that will improve the sharing of patient health information between dental and medical providers.

Dec 21, 2021

DQAC Dental Anesthesia Committee Meeting – Jan. 14

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Anesthesia Committee meeting on Friday, Jan. 14 at 2:30 PM.

Dec 21, 2021

Deadline Draws Near for SBA Pandemic-Relief Funding

Businesses looking for pandemic-related financial relief from the Small Business Administration's COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program must file online applications by Dec. 31 — the last day the relief option will be available.

Dec 20, 2021

Renew Your Membership Online by Dec. 31

Please renew your WSDA, ADA and local dental society membership for 2022 by Dec. 31. All members who renew online by the Dec. 31 will be entered to win a refund of their 2022 dues!

Dec 20, 2021

Urgent Call from Public Health Seattle & King County for Volunteer Vaccinators

Public Health Seattle & King County is issuing an urgent call for help to administer COVID-19 boosters at seven community vaccination centers.

Dec 16, 2021

2021 WSDA Citizen of the Year: Dr. Peter Hampl

For more than 50 years, Dr. Peter Hampl has leveraged a career in forensic dentistry and passion for the dental profession to provide service to others, whether in the South Sound or in underserved communities around the world.

Dec 14, 2021

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) Invites Applications for Founding Dean of Proposed School of Dental Medicine

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) in Yakima invites applications for the Founding Dean of the proposed School of Dental Medicine (SDM).

Dec 9, 2021

Dr. Julie Kellogg: This is NOT a COVID Story

As dentists, we pride ourselves in our tough immune systems and our ability to work through pain and minor illness. But sometimes we find ourselves in the position of receiving care instead of providing it. The experience of being a patient with an unusual disease is both eye-opening and humbling.

Dec 7, 2021

HCA: Dental Program Changes, Effective Jan. 1, 2022

Updates from the Health Care Authority (HCA) on the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program and covered orthodontic services.

Dec 6, 2021

ADA Requests Payers Take Current Trends Into Account When Discussing Fees With Individual Dentists

The ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs is sending a letter to all major dental insurance payers informing them of increases in dental office overhead due to COVID-19 and imploring them to consider providing an opportunity for dental offices to “meaningfully discuss fees” with the payers.

Dec 2, 2021

PMP/EHR Integration Waiver Now Available

The Department of Health (DOH) has released the waiver attestation exemption form for the PMP/EHR integration requirement. By Jan. 1, 2022, all providers and facilities subject to the PMP/EHR integration requirement must either be in compliance or have obtained a waiver from the DOH.

Dec 2, 2021

Cause for Collaboration: The Important Role of Dentists in Addressing Airway Breathing Disorders

Because many patients see their dentists more frequently (at least twice a year) than their primary care physicians — and spend more one-on-one time with them — dentists are in a unique position of being able to identify or address the impact of SBRDs and other chronic diseases on oral and overall health outcomes.

Dec 1, 2021

E-Prescribing Waiver Now Available

The Department of Health (DOH) has released the waiver attestation exemption form for the e-prescribing requirement. By Jan. 1, 2022, all providers and facilities subject to the e-prescribing requirement must either be in compliance, have qualified for an exemption, or have obtained a waiver from the DOH.

Dec 1, 2021

Donate to Support Dental Hygiene Program at UW by Dec. 31 for Dollar-for-Dollar Matching, Up to $500,000

Please consider donating in support of the Shoreline Dental Hygiene Program at the UW School of Dentistry by Dec. 31. Your contribution will make a difference in educating and graduating more dental hygienists in our state and will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000!

Dec 1, 2021

Important Reminders from the WA Employment Security Department

Important reminders from ESD about annual tax rate notices and Long-Term Services and Supports Program exemptions.

Dec 1, 2021

Reminder: Workers’ Compensation COVID-19 Coverage for Health Care Workers

Health care workers who test positive for COVID-19 are presumed to have been exposed at work and are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim with the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).

Dec 1, 2021

Reminder: Dec. 1 Water Line Testing Requirement

Learn more about water line testing requirements effective Dec. 1 and browse upcoming webinars from Harris Biomedical and ProEdge Dental Water Labs.

Dec 1, 2021

Proposed Workforce Shortage Legislation

During the upcoming 2022 legislative session, WSDA will be promoting important legislation aimed at improving the significant workforce shortages of dental hygienists and assistants in our state.

Dec 1, 2021

DQAC Business Meeting – Dec. 10

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting on Friday, Dec. 10 at 8:30 AM.

Dec 1, 2021

Nominate a New Dentist for the 2022 ADA 10 Under 10 Award

Developed by the ADA New Dentist Committee in 2017, this award recognizes 10 amazing dentists who graduated from dental school less than 10 years ago. Nominate a member by Dec. 31!

Dec 1, 2021

WSDA News | Fall 2021

Read about 2021 WSDA Citizen of the Year Dr. Peter Hampl in the Fall 2021 cover story.

Nov 10, 2021

Meet with Delta Dental of Washington at PNDC 2021

Delta Dental of Washington is the state’s leading provider of dental benefits, covering over 1 million individuals across the state! With a focus on preventive care and providing access to quality dental care for each and every one of our members, we’re working toward our vision of a cavity-free Washington.

Nov 10, 2021