Blog

Apr 5, 2022

It's All About Character: Washington's Dr. Linda Edgar Running for ADA President-Elect

Dr. Linda Edgar's dental career, both as a dentist and as a volunteer within organized dentistry, is an impressive one, including successful leadership positions at the state, regional, and national levels. But her accomplishments outside of dentistry — as an adoptive mother, an author, a middle- and high-school teacher, a record-setting distance runner, a triathlete, and a cancer survivor — are every bit as impressive and revealing.

Apr 5, 2022

An Intergenerational Chat about Politics and Dentistry

Dr. Jeff Parrish and Dr. Brittany Dean, members of the WSDA Editorial Advisory Board, have been discussing organized dentistry’s role in and philosophy around political giving. Is there a line when a candidate, no matter how much they have done for dentistry, is inappropriate to support? Is this line applied evenly and to both sides of the aisle? Read their thoughts in this "intergenerational chat."

Mar 25, 2022

SBA: EIDL Deferment Period is Extended

The Small Business Administration is extending deferments for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans to 30 months from the date of approval.

Mar 16, 2022

WSDA News | Winter 2022

Read about Dr. Linda Edgar, candidate for ADA President-Elect, in the Winter 2022 cover story.

Mar 4, 2022

ADA Masking Toolkit Clarification

The ADA recently released a toolkit on indoor masking in dental practice public spaces. The toolkit covers CDC masking recommendations for patients and the general public and acknowledges that dentists must still comply with statewide and local masking requirements. In Washington state, masks are still required in health care facilities such as hospitals, long term care settings, and dental offices.

Mar 1, 2022

DOH: Beware of Ongoing Scam Attempts

Telephone calls from scammers falsely claiming to represent the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) are increasing again. Please be aware of this ongoing scam targeting health care professionals.

Feb 17, 2022

2022 Legislative Session Update

With the 2022 legislative session having passed the halfway mark, WSDA continues to track several bills concerning health care, public health, small business matters, and much more.

Feb 15, 2022

Head & Neck Cancer 5K – April 23 in Richland

Partners in Care, a not-for-profit charitable foundation dedicated to cancer patients, will hold a 5K run and 2-mile walk to support head and neck cancer patients on Saturday, April 23 in Richland.

Feb 14, 2022

Reminder: Health Emergency Labor Standards Act in Effect

In 2021, Washington passed the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA) which includes, among other things, notification requirements for health care facilities when a public health emergency is declared by either the President of the United States or by the Governor of Washington.

Feb 9, 2022

Kyler Hayes: The Career-long Impacts of COVID-19 on Dental Students

"It has been almost two years since our lives were turned upside down. However, the sense of togetherness, the care for one another, and the pure resilience that the dental students of UW have shown throughout the course of this unprecedented time have given me undeniable hope and assurance about the future of the dental profession."

Feb 3, 2022

How to Stay Involved During the 2022 Legislative Session

Due to the pandemic, the upcoming 2022 legislative session (starting Jan. 10) will be mostly virtual. Even in a virtual format, it is important to be engaged and informed on issues that may impact your profession, your practice, and your patients.

Feb 3, 2022

Dental Anesthesia Proposed Rule Update

Review and provide comments on proposed rule amendments from the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) for Administration of Anesthetic Agents for Dental Procedures.

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.

Jan 26, 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 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.