News Items

Feb 18, 2026

Reminder: Volunteer at the Seattle/King County Clinic

Dental professionals looking for a volunteer opportunity can sign up to volunteer for the 2026 Seattle/King County Clinic, held April 23-26 at Seattle Center.

Feb 17, 2026

Nominate a Dentist for WSDA Citizen of the Year

Do you know a member dentist doing incredible charitable work in their community? Nominate them for WSDA Citizen of the Year!

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.

Feb 11, 2026

ADA: 2025 Marks Strong Year for ADA Advocacy

The ADA had many advocacy wins in 2025, including dental insurance reforms, workforce legislation, water fluoridation and more.

Feb 9, 2026

ADA: EPA Initiates Accelerated Review of Fluoride in Drinking Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has initiated an accelerated review of fluoride in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The action marks the first step in an expedited process to evaluate potential health effects associated with fluoride exposure and could inform future regulatory decisions related to drinking water standards for the entire country.

Feb 2, 2026

February 16 HIPAA Deadline: Update Your Notice of Privacy Practices

By February 16, 2026, all HIPAA-covered entities — including dental practices — must update their Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) to include specific information about how they handle substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records protected under federal law, and train their workforce on these updates. Learn more and see resources available from WSDA and ADA.

Jan 29, 2026

Unlock Job & Practice Opportunities with WSDA Classifieds

Whether you’re a dentist looking to grow your career or a practice owner ready to make a change, the WSDA Classifieds section is your centralized resource. This platform is tailored specifically to the job and practice search needs of dentists across the state.

Jan 26, 2026

ADA: Student Loan Spotlight: How Dentists Can Navigate New Federal Student Loan Changes

Managing student loans and dental school debt can be a significant source of financial stress, especially early in your career. While recent federal student loan legislation will impact current repayment options, there are still several new plans that can help dentists manage their dental school debt.

Jan 21, 2026

Common Workers’ Compensation Claims in Dental Offices — And How WSDA L&I Advantage Has You Covered

Even in a low-risk setting like a dental office, repetitive strain and small accidents can lead to costly claims if not managed correctly.

Jan 20, 2026

Apply for the 2026 WSDA Leadership Institute by February 20

The WSDA Leadership Institute is a program designed to foster new leadership in organized dentistry by getting participants involved in a variety of WSDA activities and meetings.

Jan 14, 2026

WSDA Partners with TISLA for Free Student Loan Counseling & Education

The Association is excited to announce our newest member benefit — free student loan counseling and education for members through a partnership with The Institute of Student Loan Advisors (TISLA).

Jan 13, 2026

Giving Back: "I Know This Works"

Spice Isle Smiles is transforming children’s oral health in Grenada by delivering comprehensive, school-based dental care to rural primary schools. Founded by Dr. Brian Holmes and Tammy Holmes, the nonprofit is creating lasting, generational change by ensuring young students have access to the care they need to grow up healthy and confident.

Jan 13, 2026

Steps to Take if Facing Collection Notices on Defaulted Loans

Experts indicated that acting quickly may be critical among federal student loan borrowers at risk of a portion of their wages being seized. Although wage garnishment was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the U.S. Department of Education announced plans to resume seizing the wages, federal tax refunds, Social Security retirement and disability benefits of those who have defaulted on their loans.

Jan 9, 2026

ADA 10 Under 10 Award Nominations are Open

Know a dentist who graduated less than 10 years ago and is making an impact in the profession? Submit them at ADA.org/10under10 by March 16, 2026.

Jan 9, 2026

ADA Webinar to Tackle One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Impact on Student Loans

The American Dental Association and Laurel Road will host a free webinar on 1/13 to break down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s implications for dental students and dentists.

Jan 8, 2026

New ADA Recommendations Confirm Dental Imaging Most Effectively Used in Moderation

New recommendations from the American Dental Association confirm that dental imaging should only be ordered when clinically necessary to minimize both patients’ and dental professionals’ exposure to radiation.

Jan 7, 2026

Bracken Killpack: Growing Value, Reducing Cost - Reflecting on Year 1 of Reimagining WSDA Membership

One year ago, we launched the first phase of WSDA’s reimagined membership model with a clear goal: make it easier for more dentists to see that the value of organized dentistry exceeds the cost of belonging. With a full year of data behind us, we can say the new model is working.

Jan 5, 2026