Blog

Oct 6, 2021

Workers’ Compensation For COVID-19

As a result of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5190, it is now presumed that if a health care worker contracts an infectious disease that is the subject of a public health emergency, such as COVID-19, this transmission is the result of workplace activities.

Oct 5, 2021

DQAC Dental Educational Outreach Committee – Oct. 7

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next Dental Educational Outreach Committee meeting on Thursday, Oct. 7 at 12:00 PM.

Oct 1, 2021

HHS Announces Availability of $25.5 Billion in COVID-19 Provider Funding

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is making $25.5 billion in new funding available for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Apply now.

Sep 30, 2021

WSDA News | Summer 2021

Read about 2021-2022 WSDA President Dr. Ashley Ulmer in the Summer 2021 cover story.

Sep 30, 2021

Reminder: Support the Shoreline Community College Dental Hygiene Program at UW

Please consider donating in support of the Shoreline Dental Hygiene Program at the UW School of Dentistry. 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!

Sep 30, 2021

Reminder: Prepare for Dec. 1 Water Line Testing Requirement

Attend a free webinar from Harris Biomedical to help prepare for DQAC's new water line testing requirements taking effect Dec. 1, 2021.

Sep 29, 2021

Bracken Killpack Recognized as Young Leader in PSBJ "40 Under 40"

WSDA Executive Director Bracken Killpack has been named to the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list of young local business and community leaders for 2021.

Sep 29, 2021

PNDC 2021 Early Bird Deadline Further Extended to Friday, Oct. 22

In an effort to offer increased flexibility and to show our appreciation during these less predictable times, the WSDA Committee on Continuing Education has extended the PNDC 2021 Early Bird deadline through Friday, Oct. 22.

Sep 29, 2021

Apply to Join the WSDA Editorial Advisory Board by Nov. 1

WSDA is now accepting applications to join the Editorial Advisory Board, a group of members tasked with writing and reviewing editorial content for the WSDA News. Apply by Monday, Nov 1.

Sep 29, 2021

What You Need to Know About the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program

The LTSS Trust Program is on track for implementation on Jan. 1, 2022 and will be funded by a .58 percent premium assessment on employee wages. Learn more about how this program will affect employers, employees and self-employed individuals.

Sep 29, 2021

Reminder: What You Need to Know About the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program

The LTSS Trust Program is on track for implementation on Jan. 1, 2022 and will be funded by a .58 percent premium assessment on employee wages. Learn more about how this program will affect employers, employees and self-employed individuals.

Sep 28, 2021

PPE Stockpile Ends Oct. 25: Order Your No-Cost PPE Now

All healthcare and long-term care facilities are encourage to order gloves, gowns, masks, respirators and other supplies from the PPE Stockpile as soon as possible. Access to this resource will end on Oct. 25.

Sep 22, 2021

DQAC EFDA Education Committee Meeting – Sept. 29

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold an EFDA Education Committee meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 29.

Sep 22, 2021

DQAC Dental Collaboration Committee Meeting – Sept. 30

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Collaboration Committee meeting on Thursday, Sept. 30.

Sep 21, 2021

Department of Health Guidance on Preventing Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 During Aerosol Generating and Other Procedures

The Department of Health (DOH) has created a guidance document covering the prevention of transmission of COVID-19 during aerosol generating procedures (AGPs).

Sep 17, 2021

PNDC 2021 Early Bird Deadline Friday, Sept. 24

The PNDC 2021 Early Bird Deadline is next Friday, Sept. 24! Register your team today to save up to $100 per person.

Sep 17, 2021

DQAC Dental Infection Control Committee Meeting – Sept. 24

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Infection Control Committee meeting on Friday, Sept. 24.

Sep 15, 2021

New Resource to Hire Front Office Staff and Dental Assistants

Learn more about WorkSource, a job-match website that connects employers and job seekers in Washington.

Sep 14, 2021

Significant Increases to Adult Dental Medicaid Reimbursement Rates & Upcoming Webinar

On July 1, reimbursement rates for nearly all adult dental Medicaid (Apple Health) covered services increased by 100%. Learn more and see an upcoming free webinar by the Arcora Foundation and the Health Care Authority.

Sep 8, 2021

Tell Congress No Medicare Part B Dental Benefit

Please join your fellow dentists and contact your members of Congress to ask them to oppose the Part B dental benefit and instead support the ADA’s alternative.

Sep 7, 2021

Regulatory Update – September 2021

Rulemaking is currently in progress to amend the requirements for continuing education, dentist retired active status, and delegation of the COVID-19 vaccination to hygienists.

Sep 3, 2021

Vaccine Mandate Update & Sample Accommodation Forms

An update on the vaccine mandate for healthcare providers and workers, including sample religious and medical accommodation forms.

Sep 1, 2021

Reminder: Prepare for Dec. 1 Water Line Testing Requirement with Free Webinars

Attend a free webinar from Harris Biomedical to help prepare for DQAC's new water line testing requirements taking effect Dec. 1, 2021.

Aug 31, 2021

PPE Available from the State

The state is currently accepting PPE requests from its PPE Backstop through Oct. 31, 2021.

Aug 31, 2021

Medical Teams International in Urgent Need of Dentist Volunteers

Medical Teams International (MTI) is in urgent need of dentist volunteers who are willing to volunteer one or more days in September at mobile clinics around the state.

Aug 31, 2021

Delta Dental of Washington Launches New Provider Web Chat Feature

Delta Dental of Washington is excited to announce a new feature on the DDWA website that will answer your questions without having to pick up the phone, Provider Web Chat.

Aug 30, 2021

Reminder: Adult Dental Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Increase & Provider Enrollment Resources

On July 1, reimbursement rates for nearly all Apple Health covered services increased by 100%. Learn more about how to enroll as an Apple Health provider and sign up for DentistLink to start receiving referrals for adult Apple Health enrollees.

Aug 30, 2021

Kickoff Meeting for the Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Interstate Compact

The Council for State Governments (CSG) held their kickoff meeting on Aug. 24 for the Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Interstate Compact, which aims to develop an interstate compact for license portability.

Aug 30, 2021

DQAC Dental Anesthesia Committee Meeting – Sept. 9

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Anesthesia Committee meeting on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 1:00 PM.

Aug 30, 2021

DQAC Considers Rule Amendments Regarding Licensure Requirements for EFDAs

A CR-101 has been filed to consider rule amendments regarding licensure requirements for expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDAs).

Aug 25, 2021

PNDC 2021 Early Bird Deadline: Sept. 24

The PNDC 2021 Early Bird Deadline is just 30 days away! Register your team by Sept. 24 to save up to $100 per person.

Aug 23, 2021

Take Action: Congress Considers a Medicare Dental Benefit

Now is the time for Congress to hear from dentists on how to design a new dental benefit in Medicare and how it could best work for dentists and Medicare patients. Contact your members of Congress.

Aug 19, 2021

Office of Equity Survey and Listening Session Registration

The Washington State Office of Equity is gathering feedback about equity, diversity, and inclusion through a survey and listening sessions. The Office of Equity wants to gain insight from agencies across Washington, and WSDA believes it is important that the dental profession provides input into this process.

Aug 17, 2021

Webinar: Medicare Dental Benefit Proposal Update from Washington, D.C.

The American Dental Association invites you to join them Thursday, Aug. 19 at 5:00 PM PT for the latest update on Congressional proposals on a Medicare dental benefit.

Aug 17, 2021

ADA Fact Sheet: Keeping Practices Safe as Delta Variant Spreads

A new fact sheet from the ADA provides an update on the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and recommended COVID-19 mitigation strategies to minimize risk to staff and patients.

Aug 16, 2021

Opting Out of LTSS Program – Deadline Approaching

The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Program is on track for implementation on Jan. 1, 2022, and with the Nov. 1 deadline quickly approaching, it is imperative that individuals wanting to opt-out of the program start exploring their long-term care coverage options.

Aug 12, 2021

New Television Closed Captioning Law

Senate Bill 5027, concerning closed captioning on televisions in places of public accommodation, is now effective and impacts dentists with public television sets in their office.

Aug 12, 2021

WSDA Response to Vaccine Mandate

WSDA sent a letter to the governor today urging him to modify Proclamation 21-14 to include an optional “vaccinate or test” policy.

Aug 9, 2021

State Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Health Care Workers, Including Dental Offices

Gov. Jay Inslee announced a requirement for workers in private health care (including dental offices) and long-term care settings, in addition to most state workers, contractors, and volunteers, to be fully vaccinated with a recommended COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021.

Aug 5, 2021

Take Action Now: LTSS Program Deadline Quickly Approaching

The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Program is on track for implementation on Jan. 1, 2022, and with the deadline quickly approaching, it is imperative that individuals wanting to opt-out of the program start exploring their long-term care coverage options.

Aug 5, 2021

Dental Therapy Task Force Information

Information about the State appointed Dental Therapy Task Force meetings can be found here.

Jul 30, 2021

Meet CE Requirements for Dentists at PNDC 2021

Meet infection control, suicide prevention, opioid prescribing, minimal & moderate sedation, and BLS CE requirements for dentists at PNDC 2021, Nov. 11-13 in Seattle.

Jul 29, 2021

WSDA House of Delegates: Sept. 9-11 in Spokane

The 2021 WSDA House of Delegates, the governing body of the Association, will meet Sept. 9-11 at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane. See current resolutions, delegates, candidates for elected positions and more.

Jul 23, 2021

State-Appointed Dental Therapy Task Force Meetings Open to Public

A state-appointed dental therapy task force will hold its first meeting, which is open to the public, on Monday, July 26 from 2-4 PM.

Jul 21, 2021

State Calls on Providers to Continue Work to Boost COVID-19 Vaccination

Last Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH announced the Power of Providers (POP) Initiative to continue to encourage all health care providers in the state to reach out and talk to their patients about COVID-19 vaccination.

Jul 18, 2021

DQAC Business Meeting – July 30

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

Jul 18, 2021

CDC Revises Infection Control Guidance for Dentistry

The CDC has revised infection control guidance for dental offices, removing recommendations that dentists avoid aerosol-generating procedures for all patients and replacing it with language advising that the procedures be avoided only for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Jul 15, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative Event with Gov. Inslee for Health Care Providers

Governor Jay Inslee, Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, and the Washington State Department of Health are inviting all health care providers in the state to a virtual meeting on Friday, July 16 from 7:30-8:00 AM.

Jul 14, 2021

ADA Releases Updated COVID-19 Dental Office Procedures Emphasizing Need for Hazard Assessments

The American Dental Association's new Update to Office Procedures During COVID-19 provides updated information for dentists to consider as they assess COVID-19 workplace hazards and make decisions that are best for their practices.

Jul 12, 2021

PPP Forgiveness Deadlines Approaching for Borrowers Who Received First Draw Loans

For dentists who received first draw Paycheck Protection Program loans, the deadline to apply for loan forgiveness could be on the horizon. Depending on when the borrower received the loan and used the funds, the forgiveness period could fall between July and September of this year.