News Items

New Guides Cover Sharing of Patient Health Information

The American Dental Association has helped develop two recently published guides that will improve the sharing of patient health information between dental and medical providers.

DQAC Dental Anesthesia Committee Meeting – Jan. 14

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Anesthesia Committee meeting on Friday, Jan. 14 at 2:30 PM.

Deadline Draws Near for SBA Pandemic-Relief Funding

Businesses looking for pandemic-related financial relief from the Small Business Administration's COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program must file online applications by Dec. 31 — the last day the relief option will be available.

Renew Your Membership Online by Dec. 31

Please renew your WSDA, ADA and local dental society membership for 2022 by Dec. 31. All members who renew online by the Dec. 31 will be entered to win a refund of their 2022 dues!

Urgent Call from Public Health Seattle & King County for Volunteer Vaccinators

Public Health Seattle & King County is issuing an urgent call for help to administer COVID-19 boosters at seven community vaccination centers.

2021 WSDA Citizen of the Year: Dr. Peter Hampl

For more than 50 years, Dr. Peter Hampl has leveraged a career in forensic dentistry and passion for the dental profession to provide service to others, whether in the South Sound or in underserved communities around the world.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) Invites Applications for Founding Dean of Proposed School of Dental Medicine

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) in Yakima invites applications for the Founding Dean of the proposed School of Dental Medicine (SDM).

HCA: Provider Directory – December 2021

Dr. Julie Kellogg: This is NOT a COVID Story

As dentists, we pride ourselves in our tough immune systems and our ability to work through pain and minor illness. But sometimes we find ourselves in the position of receiving care instead of providing it. The experience of being a patient with an unusual disease is both eye-opening and humbling.

HCA: Dental Program Changes, Effective Jan. 1, 2022

Updates from the Health Care Authority (HCA) on the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program and covered orthodontic services.

ADA Requests Payers Take Current Trends Into Account When Discussing Fees With Individual Dentists

The ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs is sending a letter to all major dental insurance payers informing them of increases in dental office overhead due to COVID-19 and imploring them to consider providing an opportunity for dental offices to “meaningfully discuss fees” with the payers.

PMP/EHR Integration Waiver Now Available

The Department of Health (DOH) has released the waiver attestation exemption form for the PMP/EHR integration requirement. By Jan. 1, 2022, all providers and facilities subject to the PMP/EHR integration requirement must either be in compliance or have obtained a waiver from the DOH.

Cause for Collaboration: The Important Role of Dentists in Addressing Airway Breathing Disorders

Because many patients see their dentists more frequently (at least twice a year) than their primary care physicians — and spend more one-on-one time with them — dentists are in a unique position of being able to identify or address the impact of SBRDs and other chronic diseases on oral and overall health outcomes.

E-Prescribing Waiver Now Available

The Department of Health (DOH) has released the waiver attestation exemption form for the e-prescribing requirement. By Jan. 1, 2022, all providers and facilities subject to the e-prescribing requirement must either be in compliance, have qualified for an exemption, or have obtained a waiver from the DOH.

Donate to Support Dental Hygiene Program at UW by Dec. 31 for Dollar-for-Dollar Matching, Up to $500,000

Please consider donating in support of the Shoreline Dental Hygiene Program at the UW School of Dentistry by Dec. 31. Your contribution will make a difference in educating and graduating more dental hygienists in our state and will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000!

Important Reminders from the WA Employment Security Department

Important reminders from ESD about annual tax rate notices and Long-Term Services and Supports Program exemptions.

Reminder: Workers’ Compensation COVID-19 Coverage for Health Care Workers

Health care workers who test positive for COVID-19 are presumed to have been exposed at work and are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim with the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).

Reminder: Dec. 1 Water Line Testing Requirement

Learn more about water line testing requirements effective Dec. 1 and browse upcoming webinars from Harris Biomedical and ProEdge Dental Water Labs.

Proposed Workforce Shortage Legislation

During the upcoming 2022 legislative session, WSDA will be promoting important legislation aimed at improving the significant workforce shortages of dental hygienists and assistants in our state.

DQAC Business Meeting – Dec. 10

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting on Friday, Dec. 10 at 8:30 AM.