Blog

Jun 24, 2026

Giving Back: Restoring Smiles, Building Fulfillment

“What we’ve found over the years is that traditional mental, dental and medical care doesn’t serve this segment of the population well — especially those who live outdoors or are unfamiliar with the system or how to navigate it on their own. The biggest shift we made as an organization was taking the care to the patients. We started looking for patients rather than waiting for them. Our mission on paper stayed the same, but the actions behind it changed. When we did that, we found even more unmet needs in our community.”

Jun 22, 2026

Apply for the New & Emerging Speaker Series

WSDA members interested in speaking at PNDC 2027, April 1-3 in Seattle, can now apply for the New & Emerging Speaker Series. Applications are due Sunday, July 19. This member-exclusive opportunity gives WSDA members the chance to present 50-minute dental-related lectures at Washington's largest dental conference.

Jun 10, 2026

Bracken Killpack: The Next Turn of WSDA's Flywheel

"More members use WSDA programs. Those programs generate non-dues revenue. That revenue funds better member benefits, stronger advocacy, and lower membership costs. Lower costs and greater value bring more dentists into organized dentistry. More members create more strength, more influence, and more opportunity to serve."

Jun 5, 2026

Planting the Policy Seeds for 2027

"The more familiar lawmakers become with this issue before they return to Olympia, the better chance we have of passing this important strategy to help solve our workforce shortage."

Jun 4, 2026

ADA: 12 Dental Benefit Terms New Dentists Should Know

The world of dental benefits can seem like it comes with its own language, and learning the terms can feel like cramming for a vocabulary test. Here are 12 terms from that glossary that dentists should know.

Jun 3, 2026

Thanks for Joining Us at PNDC 2026!

Thank you to all the dental professionals who joined us for the 2026 Pacific Northwest Dental Conference. We had an incredible time hosting you in Seattle for PNDC 2026! Mark your calendars today for more high-quality continuing dental education, dental exhibits and more as PNDC returns April 1-3, 2027 to Summit - Seattle Convention Center.

Jun 3, 2026

ADA Grassroots Alert Urges Dentists to Support ERISA Reform

The ADA is urging dentists to contact members of Congress in support of federal legislation aimed at closing what the Association describes as an “ERISA loophole” affecting dental insurance reform laws. “Your patients deserve to be treated equally under the law when receiving dental care no matter how their dental benefit plan is designed. Congress can finally bring this needed consistency and accountability to federally regulated dental plans and ensure state dental insurance laws are adhered to.”

May 26, 2026

Washington Dentists' Insurance Agency: PNDC 2026 Title Partner

Washington Dentists' Insurance Agency (WDIA) offers insurance policies designed for dentists. You protect your livelihood and your profession when you invest in quality coverage through WDIA. Visit WDIA during PNDC 2026 at Booth #113.

May 22, 2026

Dandy: PNDC 2026 Gold Sponsor

Pre-book your Dandy demo at the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference and walk away with a $150 gift of your choice. Visit Dandy at Booth #312 to see it in action and discover how Dandy can simplify your digital workflow.

May 21, 2026

MedPro Group: PNDC 2026 Platinum Sponsor

Whether you just started your career, retirement is around the corner, or you’re somewhere in between, we can help. Stop by booth 212 at the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference to learn more about the MedPro Group difference.

May 19, 2026

Omni Practice Group: PNDC 2026 Platinum Sponsor

While exploring the exhibit hall at PNDC, stop by booth 613 and enter for an opportunity to experience a premium suite at a future Seattle Sounders FC match or win two tickets to a FIFA World Cup 2026 game right here in Seattle—an unforgettable experience for you and a guest.

May 18, 2026

Studebaker Nault: PNDC 2026 Gold Sponsor

The business of dentistry is becoming more complex, while some dental practices turn to dental service organizations (“DSOs”) for help with billing, marketing, and office management. These arrangements may be useful, but Washington dentists should understand the strict legal limits before entering into such arrangements.

May 15, 2026

Fluoride Wars

Across Washington, activists are fighting fluoridation in public water systems. As a result, more state residents are at risk of losing the benefits of a proven public oral health program.

May 13, 2026

Thank You to Our 2026 WSDA Advocacy Champions

To the WSDA Advocacy Champions who added an additional $250 donation to their 2026 membership renewal, thank you for your support! From dental benefits reform to improving the workforce shortage, no one fights harder for dentists than WSDA.

May 5, 2026

Save the Date for Dental Action Day: Thursday, February 25

Join dentists from across the state on Thursday, February 25, 2027 at Dental Action Day in Olympia to meet with your legislators and advocate for dental benefits reform and other issues affecting the dental profession. One profession, one voice!

May 4, 2026

The Future is Now: Q&A with Washington Dental Students

Last fall, Washington state opened its second dental school with the launch of the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences School of Dental Medicine in Yakima. WSDA thought it would be timely to check in with students from both PNWU and the University of Washington, to see what issues are top of mind among the next generation of dentists.

Apr 30, 2026

Review Your HIPAA Security Risk Assessment

With an announcement expected this May about significant changes to the HIPAA Security Rule, it’s a good time for WSDA members to take stock of their offices’ HIPAA and overall compliance practices. We suggest dentists start by reviewing what our team consistently finds to be one of the most common HIPAA compliance gaps — the Security Risk Assessment (SRA).

Apr 29, 2026

HIPAA Security Rule – Proposed Rulemaking Update

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights is expected to announce significant changes to the HIPAA Security Rule in May 2026, including requirements for encryption of electronic protected health information, multi-factor authentication and more.

Apr 23, 2026

Giving Back: Focusing on Food Insecurity

“Access to food can make a meaningful difference in their well-being and academic success. When students are worried about where their next meal will come from, sometimes not just for themselves but also for their families, it becomes much harder to focus on the already demanding nature of their academic work.”

Apr 16, 2026

Dr. Richard Rosato: Leading Dentistry Forward, Together

"Across the tripartite, our greatest strength is our ability to move forward together. We have an opportunity to work collectively to make a lasting impact for those we serve — now and in the future. As your national association, the ADA has both the responsibility and the opportunity to help lead that work and shape what comes next."

Mar 20, 2026

SCAM ALERT: Callers Impersonating WSDA

This afternoon, WSDA became aware of a potential phone scam targeting an unknown number of Washington dental offices. The caller(s) may be impersonating or "spoofing" WSDA's phone numbers (206) 448-1914 or (800) 448-3368 and asking dentists to provide their dental license number. This is not WSDA calling.

Mar 19, 2026

Become a Speaker Ambassador to Attend PNDC 2026 for Free

The PNDC Speaker Ambassador Program gives WSDA members and their staff a way to get involved at PNDC by assisting our speakers prior to and during the conference. Plus, Speaker Ambassadors can receive registration reimbursement for volunteering!

Mar 3, 2026

License Credentialing Freeze: March 18-24, 2026

Ahead of the Department of Health’s HELMS launch, all licensing and credentialing systems will be unavailable from 5 PM on Wednesday, March 18, until the morning of Tuesday, March 24, 2026. To avoid potential lapses in licensure, dentists who renew in March should renew early and practice owners should inform applicable staff of the upcoming freeze.

Mar 2, 2026

Join WSDA & Dandy for an Evening at Canlis

Join WSDA and proud sponsor Dandy for a free evening at Canlis on Friday, March 27! Come mix and mingle with fellow WSDA member dentists while discovering how Dandy’s innovative digital workflows are transforming practices.

Mar 2, 2026

Earn Required CE at PNDC 2026

Licensed Washington dentists must earn 63 hours of continuing education every three years, plus complete a variety of additional CE requirements. Earn 20+ CE credits May 28-30 at PNDC 2026 — including many that count toward additional requirements for dentists. Register by the April 10 Early Bird Deadline to save up to $100 per person!

Feb 27, 2026

ADA Backs Independent Fluoride Review at House Hearing

The ADA is urging lawmakers to bolster scientific oversight of potential federal fluoride regulations in a statement submitted for the record at a Feb. 24 hearing of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment titled “From Source to Tap: A Hearing to Examine Challenges and Opportunities for Safe, Reliable, and Affordable Drinking Water.”

Feb 25, 2026

Apply for WSDA & ADA Elected Positions

WSDA Members: Take your leadership skills to the next level and apply today for an open WSDA or ADA elected leadership position! Elections will be held at the 2026 WSDA House of Delegates, September 17-19 in Spokane.

Feb 12, 2026

Announcing the Campaign for Dental Futures: A Tribute to the Work of Dr. Linda Edgar

WSDA is excited to announce that the WSDA Foundation has pledged $1 million to support the creation of the Simulation Lab at the new Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences School of Dental Medicine in Yakima, named in honor of Washington’s own Dr. Linda Edgar. Through this campaign, dentists and supporters have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of dentistry in Washington state and beyond.