Blog

Jun 22, 2023

Meeting the Challenge: WSDA's Efforts to Close the Workforce Gap

Closing the dental workforce gap is one of WSDA's top priorities. Learn more about how the Association is approaching the issue, from making it easier for licensed hygienists from other states to begin practicing in Washington, to supporting efforts to create new dental hygiene training programs in our state, to leading a multi-state effort to change CODA accreditation standards to allow expansion of existing programs.

Jun 22, 2023

Provider Resources to Support the Military Community

The Department of Health strongly recommends providers share educational materials regarding the nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which also includes a Veterans Crisis Line option, to patients currently or formerly affiliated with the military.

Jun 20, 2023

L&I Employer Webinar Resources

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has put together a variety of free resources for employers, including an Essentials for Business webinar and Accident Prevention Plan workshop.

Jun 6, 2023

Changes to WA Hygiene Licensure Become Effective July 23

Effective July 23, hygienists seeking an initial limited license in Washington state will no longer be required to be currently engaged in active practice in order to apply. Additionally, the name of the initial and renewed limited license for hygienists is changed to an initial and renewed temporary license, and the expiration of the license is extended from 18 months to five years.

Jun 6, 2023

Reminder: LTSS Trust Program Withholding Will Begin July 1

The LTSS Trust Program is on track for implementation on July 1, 2023 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.

Jun 5, 2023

Bracken Killpack: The Value of the American Dental Association – Organized Dentistry’s Public Works

"While there are many reasons why the American Dental Association is valuable to our nation’s dentists, I believe it is important to point out some of the less obvious values. Like road, electrical, water, and sewage systems help ensure stable communities, the ADA provides important infrastructure that sustains and enhances the work of state dental associations, local dental societies, and your practice."

Jun 5, 2023

DQAC Business Meeting – April 28

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting in a hybrid format on Friday, April 28 at 10:00 AM.

May 26, 2023

CE Options to Meet New June 27 DEA Requirement

Effective June 27, 2023, prescribers of controlled substances, including dentists, must complete eight hours of one-time training on safely prescribing controlled substances (Schedules II, III, IV, and/or V) in order to receive or renew their registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). See CE options at PNDC, from UW Continuing Dental Education, and from the ADA to meet the requirement.

May 19, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Summary

During the 2023 legislative session, WSDA successfully advocated for the passage of three important dental workforce bills that reduce barriers to hygiene licensure in our state and increase licensure portability for dentists and hygienists. In addition to advocating for important workforce legislation, WSDA also supported or opposed several bills this session concerning dental-related issues, insurance, small business issues, employer/employee matters, and much more.

May 18, 2023

5-Minute Dental Infection Prevention Survey

The Washington State Department of Health, Healthcare-Associated Infections, and Antimicrobial Resistance Section is asking for you to fill out a 5-minute survey about infection prevention in your dental facility.

May 10, 2023

Meet CE Requirements at PNDC 2023

Earn 20+ CE credits and fulfill minimal sedation and basic life support CE requirements at PNDC 2023, June 15-17 in Seattle. WSDA members register for just $450 (or just $325 for recent grads)!

May 10, 2023

Submit Public Comment on the Military Family Leave Act by June 9

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has released a draft administrative policy to provide guidance on the Military Family Leave Act requirements for employers. L&I is holding a public feedback session on Tuesday, May 23, and the draft policy will be open for public comment until Friday, June 9.

May 10, 2023

Webinar: HPV Vaccine Starts at 9

The Department of Health is hosting the webinar "HPV Vaccine Starts at 9: Why? How? Now! Cancer Prevention Made Easy" on May 16.

May 10, 2023

Upcoming Employment Law Webinars from L&I

Learn about key employment laws at upcoming L&I webinars. Webinar topics include Employer Guide to Workers’ Rights, Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, Isolated Worker Protections, Know Your Worker Rights and White Collar (EAP) Overtime Exemptions.

Apr 25, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 15 (April 17-23)

Washington state’s 105-day legislative session adjourned, on time, on Sunday, April 23, 2023. This session WSDA tracked several bills concerning dental-related issues, workforce, insurance, small business issues, employer/employee matters, and much more. Read for an update on WSDA’s week 15 activities in Olympia.

Apr 21, 2023

Be Aware of Medicaid Renewal Scams

Please be aware of Medicaid renewal scams. Reports of fake texts and phone calls to Medicaid clients have been reported over the past couple weeks in other states.

Apr 14, 2023

Workforce Legislation Update

Three important dental workforce bills that reduce barriers to hygiene licensure in our state and increase licensure portability for dentists and hygienists, including WSDA’s ESHB 1466, have passed the Legislature.

Apr 14, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 14 (April 10-16)

April 12 was opposite house cutoff, one of the final milestones of the 2023 session. Bills sent to the opposite house needed to be passed out by April 12 in order to stay “alive” and continue along in the legislative process. Read for an update on WSDA’s week 14 activities in Olympia.

Apr 13, 2023

DOH Update on Guidance for HPV Vaccination

Earlier this year, the Washington State Immunization Information System within the Department of Health (DOH) updated its guidance to recommend administering the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine starting at age 9.

Apr 7, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 13 (April 3-9)

April 4 was opposite house fiscal cutoff, the fifth major milestone of the 2023 legislative session. This meant bills that were sent to a fiscal committee needed to be voted out by April 4 in order to stay “alive” and continue along in the legislative process. Read for an update on WSDA’s week 13 activities in Olympia.

Apr 5, 2023

ADA Answers Your Questions on New DEA Registration Requirement Effective June 27

Effective June 27, 2023, prescribers of controlled substances, including dentists, must complete eight hours of one-time training on safely prescribing controlled substances (Schedules II, III, IV, and/or V) in order to receive or renew their registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).