Blog

Apr 9, 2025

Act Now: Urge Representatives to Support Dental Benefits Reform

SSB 5351 — WSDA’s dental benefits reform legislation — is now in the Rules Committee, the last step before moving to the floor of the Washington State House of Representatives. You can help SSB 5351 pass out of the House of Representatives.

Apr 8, 2025

Bracken Killpack: We're Just Getting Started

"However you choose to engage with WSDA, your contribution is deeply appreciated. Together, we are working to create a stronger, more supportive environment for Washington dentists and, ultimately, better oral health for our patients."

Apr 1, 2025

Pacific Northwest Head & Neck Cancer Symposium

The UW/Fred Hutch Head and Neck surgery team is hosting The Pacific Northwest Head and Neck Cancer Symposium: Etiology and Management of Oral Cavity Cancer on Friday, May 2 in Seattle.

Mar 27, 2025

Save Time, Save Money: ComplyBetter

New WSDA dental compliance software offers a simple online platform you can access from anywhere – and keep track of it all.

Mar 13, 2025

Act Now: Sign In PRO on Dental Benefits Reform in the House

SSB 5351 would prohibit same-day denials, restrict fees on virtual credit card payments & require mediation on dental loss ratio & non-network reimbursement fairness. We need all Washington dentists, staff, patients, and anyone else interested in advocating for these important reforms to sign in PRO on SSB 5351!

Mar 12, 2025

ADA Contract Analysis Service and Other Contract Resources

The ADA offers a free contract analysis service that provides members with a plain-language explanation of the insurance provider contract terms to allow them to make informed and independent decisions on the merits of the contract.

Mar 11, 2025

Disturbing Mail Targeting Dentists in Washington

WSDA has learned that several Washington dental offices have recently received deeply disturbing messages through the U.S. mail. Any dentist who has received one of these messages should immediately contact local law enforcement. We also encourage anyone who has received one of these messages to let WSDA know immediately.

Mar 3, 2025

ADA: Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement Halted Amid Legal Challenges

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network announced February 27 that it is ceasing enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act while it revises compliance requirements in response to a recent court ruling and crafts a new set of regulations that will ultimately narrow the scope of beneficial ownership information reporting requirements.

Mar 3, 2025

It’s Not Too Late! Get a $250 Discount on 2025 WSDA Membership

New and renewing WSDA members six or more years out of dental school can get $250 off their 2025 membership when they hold MedPro professional liability insurance through Washington Dentists’ Insurance Agency (WDIA). Already renewed? Lock in your MedPro policy by March 31 and WSDA will process a $250 refund on your membership!

Feb 28, 2025

WSDA Welcomes Dr. Frank Spear to PNDC 2025

WSDA is thrilled to welcome Frank Spear, DDS, MSD, founder and director of Spear Education, to PNDC 2025. Don’t miss his lectures on Saturday, May 10.

Feb 28, 2025

Tell Senators to Support Dental Benefits Reform

SB 5351 — WSDA’s dental benefits reform bill — is in the Rules Committee, the last step before moving to the floor of the Washington State Senate. We need YOUR help to ensure SB 5351 continues to move forward and receives a YES vote from the full Senate! Please take just a few minutes to contact your state senator today.

Feb 25, 2025

Pediatric Sedation Endorsement Application Deadline Extended to June 30

Washington State dentists administering moderate sedation with enteral or parenteral agents to children are now required to obtain a Pediatric Sedation Endorsement. The application is now available from the Department of Health and has an extended deadline of June 30, 2025.

Feb 21, 2025

ADA: Corporate Transparency Act Back in Effect

Filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act are back in effect after a federal judge in Texas reversed a previously issued injunction. Unless subject to a later deadline, most businesses have until March 21 to file beneficial ownership information reports.

Feb 21, 2025

Important Win for WSDA’s Dental Benefits Reform Efforts

An amended version of our bill, SB 5351, was voted unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care, hitting an important milestone that allows the bill to continue moving forward in the legislative process.

Feb 11, 2025

PNDC Night at the Seattle Mariners!

The Seattle Mariners are set to face off against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, May 9, and PNDC attendees have exclusive access to discounted tickets in a specially reserved seating area.

Jan 31, 2025

Earn Required CE at PNDC 2025

Licensed Washington dentists must earn 63 hours of continuing education every three years, plus complete a variety of additional CE requirements. 2025 is a CE reporting year for many dentists. Earn 20+ CE credits May 8-10 at PNDC 2025 — including many that count toward additional requirements for dentists. Register by the March 21 Early Bird Deadline to save up to $100 per person!

Jan 24, 2025

Everett Herald Editorial Board: Give Dental Patients’ Coverage Some Teeth

"Senate Bill 5351 and House Bill 1535 seek to bring to dental patients a standard of financial transparency and assurance similar to the federal Affordable Care Act, in effect, mandating that a certain percentage of what someone pays for their insurance is available for their dental care."

Jan 22, 2025

Fix Dental Benefits Campaign LIVE on Seattle Times

We are excited to announce the launch of a robust communications campaign in support of WSDA’s 2025 dental benefits reform legislation. This legislation is some of the most important we have ever proposed for the future of our members and their patients.

Jan 20, 2025

Lack of Detail in Chart Entry Hinders Dentist’s Malpractice Defense

In dentistry, documentation is an essential element of practice, not only for accurate treatment but also for risk management. In this case study, the lack of detail in a dentist’s chart entry denoting a patient’s treatment impacts the outcome of a malpractice case brought against her.

Jan 17, 2025

Important Dental Benefits Legislation - SB 5351

SB 5351, WSDA’s bill to reform the broken dental benefits system in Washington, was introduced on Thursday, January 16. This bill has strong bipartisan support from across the political spectrum, including sponsorship from the majority of members of the Senate Health Care Committee.

Jan 17, 2025

Making a Difference on ERISA: The ADA in Action

"In a nutshell, the ERISA preemption is applied too broadly by the carriers. In response, nearly two years ago the ADA House of Delegates formed a special committee on ERISA to look for innovative strategies to deal with the problem. We have identified a number of paths forward."

Jan 16, 2025

Talkspace Go Complimentary for ADA Members

The ADA has announced a new resource available for all ADA members and dental students: Talkspace Go, a self-guided therapy app to support mental well-being.

Jan 15, 2025

Giving Back: When You Give to Others, Your Give to Yourself

Dr. Robin Jones is making a difference for low-income, underserved patients in Tacoma. When asked about her practice model, Dr. Robin Jones replied that she is “a general dentist specializing in ‘community dentistry.’ It’s a specialty I created.”

Jan 10, 2025

Addressing Delta’s Anticompetitive Advantage

On Friday, January 10, WSDA met with DDWA and newly elected Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer to discuss key points of our robust dental benefits reform legislation.

Jan 8, 2025

Bracken Killpack: Dental Education in Washington is on the Rise

"The coming year will bring great news for Washington patients and dentistry. That’s because in 2025 our state will have first year predoctoral dental students enrolled in TWO dental schools across THREE different locations – UW-Gonzaga University Health Partnership Building (Spokane), Equity Hall at Pacific Northwest University (Yakima), and UW Health Sciences Center (Seattle)."