Blog

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)."

Jan 8, 2025

Register for Dental Action Day by January 16

WSDA members can join fellow dentists from across the state at Dental Action Day 2025 in Olympia on January 30 to meet with legislators to advocate for dental benefits reform and other issues affecting the dental profession.

Dec 30, 2024

ADA: Corporate Transparency Act Injunction Reinstated

UPDATE: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals panel reinstated the nationwide injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act Dec. 26. Impacted small businesses are therefore no longer required to comply with the law's reporting requirements until further proceedings take place.

Dec 24, 2024

WDIA: A Year of Change Results in Gratitude

“When you work with WDIA, your premiums stay right here in Washington to fund advocacy, high quality continuing education, and connections with leading dental professionals.”

Dec 23, 2024

Dr. Kalman Klass: 2024 Citizen of the Year

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill. By Churchill’s definition, Dr. Kalman “Kal” Klass has made a very, very good life. The range of his giving has touched Holocaust survivors and terminally ill AIDS patients in Seattle, at-risk children in Jerusalem, hikers in Snohomish County, and beyond. For this breadth and depth of volunteerism, Klass is being honored as WSDA’s Citizen of the Year for 2024.

Dec 5, 2024

Tell Us About Your Local Dental Society

WSDA is gathering ideas and member feedback for a future WSDA News story on local dental societies. Help us by sharing your thoughts in a quick survey!

Dec 4, 2024

2024 WSDA House of Delegates Resolution & Election Results

The 2024 meeting of the WSDA House of Delegates, the governing body of the Association, was held Sept. 12-14 at the Historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane. Members can visit wsda.org/HOD to view resolutions adopted at the 2024 House.

Dec 4, 2024

Register Today for PNDC 2025: May 8-10 in Seattle

Registration is now open for the 2025 Pacific Northwest Dental Conference! Join thousands of dental professionals May 8-10 in Seattle for three days of high quality and affordable dental CE, dental exhibits, special events and more.

Dec 4, 2024

Good Vibes Only: PNDC Levels Up in 2024

“If all goes to plan, we’ll just be getting bigger and better every year: more sponsors, more events, more attendees, and we will continue to pick the best speakers to listen to and learn from.” PNDC 2024 was "by far the best PNDC yet," and WSDA is gearing up for an even better PNDC 2025, with registration open now.

Dec 3, 2024

Renew Your Membership for 2025

It's time to renew your WSDA, ADA and local dental society membership for 2025. Renew online by December 31 to enter to win a refund of your 2025 dues!

Dec 3, 2024

Register for Dental Action Day

WSDA members can join fellow dentists from across the state at Dental Action Day 2025 in Olympia on January 30 to meet with legislators to advocate for dental benefits reform and other issues affecting the dental profession.

Nov 19, 2024

New HCA Dental Program Newsletter

The Health Care Authority (HCA) has launched a Dental Program newsletter to provide helpful information, answer frequently asked questions, and increase provider understanding of the Apple Health (Medicaid) Dental Program.

Nov 4, 2024

LWTech Dental Hygiene Employer Survey

The Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) is currently surveying dental providers who have employed LWTech hygiene graduates.

Nov 4, 2024

Reminder: Password Change Required for All Membership Accounts

The ADA upgraded its technology to a new system and as a part of this upgrade, there have been changes to all members’ login credentials for their membership accounts. Members will need to update their passwords to log into the WSDA, ADA and some local dental society websites.

Oct 30, 2024

Volunteer at the Seattle/King County Clinic

Dental professionals looking for a volunteer opportunity can sign up to volunteer for the 2025 Seattle/King County Clinic, held April 24-27 at Seattle Center.