News Items

Reminder: WSDA & ADA Elected Position Applications Due June 24

Several WSDA and ADA leadership positions will be up for election at the 2022 WSDA House of Delegates in September. Apply to become a candidate by June 24.

CDC Mobile App Allows Users To Review Basic Infection Prevention Principles

Dental health care personnel can use the mobile application CDC DentalCheck to periodically assess their practices and ensure they are meeting the minimum expectations for safe care.

Sign Up for WSDA Retro by June 1

Practice owners, get your office(s) on track to earn workers' compensation premium refunds by signing up for WSDA Retro by June 1.

WDIA: Time for Your Annual Insurance Check-Up

As your practice grows, your earnings increase, or your family gains new members, your insurance needs to increase as well. Washington Dentists’ Insurance Agency recommends that all dentists review their insurance coverage at least once each year to determine if what they currently have meets their present and future needs.

Lake Washington Institute of Technology Expanding Dental Programs & Other Workforce Updates

Last year, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding between WSDA and Delta Dental of Washington (DDWA), the two organizations launched a Workforce Taskforce to identify and implement impactful solutions to the workforce shortage.

HCA: Rulemaking Notice for WSR 22-09

DQAC Business Meeting – April 29

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting on Friday, April 29 at 8:30 AM.

Board of Denturists Special Topics Committee Rules Workshop – May 20

The Board of Denturists – Special Topics Committee is holding a series of rules workshops to amend the denturist infection control rules (WAC 246-812-501 - Purpose) and to propose new rules for prefabricated implant abutments.

New Dentist Now Blog Seeks Contributors to Share Experiences, Insights

The ADA’s award-winning New Dentist Now blog is seeking contributors interested in writing about their experiences and insights on the unique challenges facing early career dentists who graduated from dental school fewer than 10 years ago.

ADA Prioritizes 2022 Advocacy Issues

Dental insurance and student debt reform. Improving Medicaid. Health equity.​ Explore some of the top issues the ADA is advocating for in 2022.

2022 Legislative Session Summary

WSDA tracked several bills this session concerning dental-specific issues, health care, small business issues, employer/employee matters, and much more. Read a summary of passed legislation that may impact you as a provider, business owner, employer, or employee.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 30

The next DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which aims to provide a way to dispose of prescription drugs in a safe and responsible way, will be held on Saturday, April 30.

HCA: Dental surgeries - payment of facility fees requiring prior authorization

Updates for Employers: Unemployment Insurance Relief, Paid Leave & Standard Occupational Classification Reporting

Learn more about updates to unemployment insurance relief, Long-Term Services and Supports Trust (LTSS) program reporting, and standard occupational classification reporting.

Reminder: Apply for the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership by April 30

The ADA is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 class of its Institute for Diversity in Leadership. Apply by April 30.

It's All About Character: Washington's Dr. Linda Edgar Running for ADA President-Elect

Dr. Linda Edgar's dental career, both as a dentist and as a volunteer within organized dentistry, is an impressive one, including successful leadership positions at the state, regional, and national levels. But her accomplishments outside of dentistry — as an adoptive mother, an author, a middle- and high-school teacher, a record-setting distance runner, a triathlete, and a cancer survivor — are every bit as impressive and revealing.

An Intergenerational Chat about Politics and Dentistry

Dr. Jeff Parrish and Dr. Brittany Dean, members of the WSDA Editorial Advisory Board, have been discussing organized dentistry’s role in and philosophy around political giving. Is there a line when a candidate, no matter how much they have done for dentistry, is inappropriate to support? Is this line applied evenly and to both sides of the aisle? Read their thoughts in this "intergenerational chat."

Phase 2 Provider Relief Fund Reporting Deadline is March 31

Dentists who received funds during the second phase of the Provider Relief Fund have until 11:59 PM ET March 31 to submit a report on the use of those funds in the Provider Relief Fund Reporting Portal.

SBA: EIDL Deferment Period is Extended

The Small Business Administration is extending deferments for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans to 30 months from the date of approval.

Dr. Harlyn Susarla Named to ADA 10 Under 10

Congratulations to WSDA member Dr. Harlyn Susarla for being named an American Dental Association 10 Under 10 Award winner.