The Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) Continuing Competency Committee (Committee) is bringing forward a significant proposal for the Commission to consider: a mandatory clinical continuing competency program.
Reminder: Effective January 14, 2024, all dentists licensed in Washington state must complete a minimum of 2 hours of health equity training within their three-year continuing education renewal cycle.
During your career there are times when you should examine and revisit your insurance coverage to ensure you, your family, your dental team, and your practice are protected.
Despite the unique challenges, dentists who choose careers in public health understand the system constraints and lean into the rewards of helping people who may not find help anywhere else.
"While accepting credit cards ensures that offices can quickly and easily collect payments, with more patients and insurance providers choosing to pay with cards, it is a much more substantial factor in the practice's total profitability than in the past."
"At the American Dental Association, we’re recognizing the significant strides we’ve made in key advocacy areas. From tackling student debt to enhancing workforce mobility and being a leading voice for crucial insurance reform, we've taken bold steps in 2024 to ensure a bright and promising future for dentistry."
ADA President Dr. Linda Edgar and WSDA President Dr. Nathan Russell cover three ways Washington can increase access to affordable dental care in this opinion piece from The Seattle Times.
The ADA is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision from a lower appeals court on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 that limits states’ traditional authority to regulate health care and insurance, and is at odds with a previous Supreme Court decision on the issue.
"Building non-dues income streams and reducing our reliance on dues revenues will require a diverse range of services that provide meaningful value to our members."
"WSDA has strongly advocated for CODA to eliminate, or less preferably, level its faculty-to-student ratios for dental hygiene and dental assisting education."
The purpose of this proposal is to amend rules for accordance with recently passed legislation, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5793 (ESSB 5793) and Senate Bill 5979 (SB 5979).
The Board of Denturists is considering updates to reduce licensure barriers for denturists and plans to address jurisprudence examination requirements.
Washington state’s 60-day legislative session adjourned on Thursday March 7, 2024. WSDA advocated in support of as well as in opposition to several bills this session concerning dental-related issues, workforce, insurance, small business issues, employer/employee matters, and much more.
UnitedHealth Group has confirmed patient data, potentially covering a significant portion of the U.S. population, was compromised in the Change Healthcare cyberattack.
The new Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact will increase access to care for patients by creating reciprocity, reducing red tape for licensed providers.
If you are a practice owner and have noncompete clauses in employment agreements with associates, hygienists or other staff, or if you are an employee dentist currently subject to a noncompete clause, you may wish to consult with an attorney in your geographic area experienced in these matters.
The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) has approved model legislation championed by the ADA that would protect patients’ investment in their dental care.
WSDA filed a legal action against the Washington State Board of Denturists challenging an administrative rule allowing licensed denturists to place prefabricated abutments.
A group of dentists is asking a judge to certify their case against Delta Dental as a class action lawsuit, alleging the company suppressed reimbursement rates.
A funding assistance program is available to dentists impacted by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare. ADA continues to monitor resources available to affected providers.