Blog

Mar 3, 2021

Member Toolkit: Talking with Your Patients About COVID-19 Vaccines

The ADA has developed resources to help dentists and their teams educate patients about how the vaccine works, answer questions, correct misinformation and connect them to local vaccination sites.

Mar 2, 2021

Webinar: Female Dentists Offer Financial, Career Advice

As part of its efforts to mark Women's History Month, the ADA presents the free on-demand webinar "Women in Dentistry: A Panel Discussion on Career and Financial Planning."

Mar 1, 2021

Reminder: Apply to Serve on the Dental Quality Assurance Commission

The Department of Health is currently accepting applications for dentist, expanded function dental auxiliary, and public member vacancies on the Dental Quality Assurance Commission. Apply by March 30!

Feb 25, 2021

DQAC Interpretive Statement on Dentists Administering the COVID-19 Vaccine

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) has released its interpretive statement regarding dentists administering the COVID-19 vaccine.

Feb 25, 2021

Updated CDC Quarantine Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced new guidance that fully vaccinated persons with an exposure to someone with COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet certain criteria.

Feb 25, 2021

Research Finds 3.1% COVID-19 Infection Rate Among US Dental Hygienists

An estimated 3.1% of U.S. dental hygienists had contracted COVID-19 as of October 2020, according to research from the American Dental Association and American Dental Hygienists' Association.

Feb 24, 2021

Pierce County Dental Society Seeks Executive Director

The Pierce County Dental Society is currently accepting applications for its Executive Director position.

Feb 23, 2021

Practice Location Map for Dentists

Find your ideal dental practice location with the ADA’s Practice Location Map.

Feb 18, 2021

PNDC 2021 Rescheduled to November 11-13 in Seattle

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, WSDA has decided to reschedule PNDC 2021 to November 11-13 in Seattle.

Feb 8, 2021

COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Relief

On Feb. 8, Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5061, a bill that will bring much needed unemployment insurance relief to both employers and employees in Washington state.

Feb 5, 2021

Reminder: Complete the HPSA Survey

If you practice as a general dental practitioner or pediatric dentist, please take the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) survey.

Feb 4, 2021

Data Security Breach Affects Information from 1.6 Million Unemployment Claims

On Feb. 1, the Office of the Washington State Auditor (SAO) announced a data security breach that may have exposed Washingtonians' personal information.

Feb 4, 2021

Apple Health Provider Alert: Update to CDT Code D9992

Effective for dates of service on and after March 1, 2021, the Health Care Authority (HCA) will no longer pay for CDT code D9992, triage and care coordination over the telephone.

Feb 2, 2021

Apply Now for Second Draw PPP Loan

Second draw Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are now available for small businesses that have already received a PPP loan.

Jan 29, 2021

Apply to Serve on the Dental Quality Assurance Commission

Jan 28, 2021

Dental Infection Control Rules Update

New Dental Infection Control Rules went into effect on Jan. 23, 2021. Learn more about the new rules and see resources for WSDA members.

Jan 27, 2021

WSDA & Delta Launch Coordinated Effort to Support Dental Hygienist Training at UWSOD

This coordinated investment to expand hygienist education at UWSOD is a significant step in addressing the critical shortage of dental hygienists in Washington.

Jan 26, 2021

Delta Dental Gives $1 Million for Dental Hygiene Training at UW

Delta Dental of Washington has announced a $1 million grant to the University of Washington School of Dentistry to support a partnership between Shoreline Community College’s Dental Hygiene Program and the dental school.

Jan 25, 2021

DQAC Dental Educational Outreach Committee Meeting – Feb. 3

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Educational Outreach Committee meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 12 PM.

Jan 21, 2021

Dr. Joe Vaughn: It’s What’s Inside That Matters

"Training matters. Competence certainly matters. But I’d argue that what matters even more is your integrity. It’s what drives you to be better, to do the right thing and treat people well."

Jan 19, 2021

Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act Becomes Law

The Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act, legislation that repeals the McCarran-Ferguson antitrust exemption for health insurance companies, became law on Jan. 13.

Jan 19, 2021

Safe Medication Return Program Now Live

The Department of Health Safe Medication Return program is now live and accepting unwanted and expired medications for disposal.

Jan 14, 2021

Vaccine Clinics in King & Snohomish Counties

See large vaccine clinic locations currently vaccinating Phase 1A eligible individuals in King and Snohomish counties.

Jan 14, 2021

Make Your 1A Vaccine Appointment ASAP

DOH and WSDA urge health care workers currently eligible in Phase 1A, which includes all dental office employees, to make their vaccine appointment ASAP to ensure prioritization before those in Phase 1B become eligible.

Jan 12, 2021

“The Best Thing I’ve Ever Done” — Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Oral Medicine Service

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Oral Medicine Service collaborates with cancer doctors to produce better patient outcomes.

Jan 12, 2021

DQAC Business Meeting – Jan. 22

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting on Friday, Jan. 22 at 8:30 AM.

Jan 12, 2021

Can a Dental Practice in Washington Mandate its Employees Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations?

WSDA’s outside legal counsel, Studebaker Nault, answers questions regarding whether Washington dental offices can mandate that their staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Jan 11, 2021

Congress Passes COVID-19 Relief

After thousands of grassroots emails from ADA members, as well as extensive lobbying from the ADA’s Government Affairs team, Congress has passed an end of the year package.

Jan 8, 2021

Attention King County Dental Offices: Vaccine Clinic This Weekend in Seattle

WSDA has been made aware of a large vaccine clinic planned for this weekend in Seattle by Kelly-Ross Pharmacy Group.

Jan 8, 2021

2021 Loan Repayment Assistance with Washington Health Corps

2021 provider applications close March 1, 2021, apply now if interested!

Jan 8, 2021

Vaccine Update: Updated Provider List, Voucher Letter, Employee Mandate Info

As of today, the Department of Health (DOH) has provided two methods for dental teams to verify their Phase 1A status and find a location to receive the vaccine in their area.

Jan 7, 2021

DQAC Dental Anesthesia Committee Meeting – Jan. 15

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Anesthesia Committee meeting on Friday, Jan. 15 at 3 PM.

Jan 7, 2021

Reminder: Minimum Wage Increase

As of Jan. 1, 2021 the state minimum wage is $13.69 an hour, up from $13.50 an hour in 2020. The increase in minimum wage impacts salary thresholds for overtime exempt employees.

Jan 6, 2021

DQAC Special Business Meeting – Jan. 7

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a special business meeting on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 12 PM.

Jan 5, 2021

Updated Dental Infection Control Rules

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) finalized new Dental Infection Control Rules on Dec. 23, 2020.

Jan 4, 2021

Complete the HPSA Survey

If you practice as a general dental practitioner or pediatric dentist, please take the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) survey.

Dec 30, 2020

Vaccine Update: Dental Team Included in Phase 1A, Tier 2

Today, state authorities updated Phase 1A of Washington's COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Guidance, adding a second tier to 1A that allows for the vaccination of all workers in health care settings, including the dental team.

Dec 23, 2020

Vaccination Update, COVID-19 Relief Package, Provider Relief Fund

COVID-19 Updates: Vaccination update, Congress passes relief package, HHS launches next round of Provider Relief Fund payments.

Dec 22, 2020

Congress Passes Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act

On Dec. 22, the Senate voted to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson antitrust exemption for health insurance companies by passing HR 1418, the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act.

Dec 22, 2020

HHS Launches 3rd Round of Provider Relief Fund Payments

The next round of Provider Relief Fund distributions from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is now underway.

Dec 18, 2020

New Telehealth Training & Other CE Requirements

Several upcoming continuing education requirements for dentists include a new telehealth training requirement, suicide prevention training and opioid prescribing CE.

Dec 17, 2020

Join HPI's COVID-19 Impact on Dental Practices Panel

Want to help ensure the data collected in HPI polling is representative of Washington dentists? Join the panel!

Dec 17, 2020

WSDA, ADA & Local Dental Society Membership Renewals Due. Jan 1

Please renew your WSDA, ADA and local dental society membership for 2021 by Jan. 1.

Dec 17, 2020

How COVID-19 is Reshaping Dentistry

To learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the future of dentistry, WSDA News asked four experts — Drs. Gordon Christensen, Gary Chiodo, Beatrice Gandara and John Kois — for their take on where things are headed.

Dec 16, 2020

Dr. Sampada Deshpande: Five Things Associates Should Do Right Now to Buy a Practice in 2021

"Are you putting together goals for 2021? Is one of your goals that of acquiring a practice? If so, here are five things you need to do right now as an associate."

Dec 15, 2020

A Good Time to Consider Disability and Life Insurance

The best way to protect yourself, your family and your practice is to make sure your insurance policies have the full protection you need. Learn more from Washington Dentists’ Insurance Agency (WDIA).

Dec 14, 2020

COVID-19 Vaccination Update

An update regarding vaccine prioritization for dentists and dental staff in Washington state.

Dec 11, 2020

Dental Action Day 2021 is Canceled

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dental Action Day 2021, originally scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 4, is canceled.

Dec 10, 2020

ADA Releases 2020 Dental Fee Survey Results

The ADA’s 2020 Survey of Dental Fees, which provides a national-level snapshot detailing fees charged for more than 250 of the most common dental treatments, is available for free to members.

Dec 10, 2020

DQAC Dental Infection Control Committee Meeting – Dec. 23

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Infection Control Committee meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 23.