News Items

Jan 24, 2025

Everett Herald Editorial Board: Give Dental Patients’ Coverage Some Teeth

"Senate Bill 5351 and House Bill 1535 seek to bring to dental patients a standard of financial transparency and assurance similar to the federal Affordable Care Act, in effect, mandating that a certain percentage of what someone pays for their insurance is available for their dental care."

Jan 22, 2025

Fix Dental Benefits Campaign LIVE on Seattle Times

We are excited to announce the launch of a robust communications campaign in support of WSDA’s 2025 dental benefits reform legislation. This legislation is some of the most important we have ever proposed for the future of our members and their patients.

Jan 20, 2025

Lack of Detail in Chart Entry Hinders Dentist’s Malpractice Defense

In dentistry, documentation is an essential element of practice, not only for accurate treatment but also for risk management. In this case study, the lack of detail in a dentist’s chart entry denoting a patient’s treatment impacts the outcome of a malpractice case brought against her.

Jan 17, 2025

Important Dental Benefits Legislation - SB 5351

SB 5351, WSDA’s bill to reform the broken dental benefits system in Washington, was introduced on Thursday, January 16. This bill has strong bipartisan support from across the political spectrum, including sponsorship from the majority of members of the Senate Health Care Committee.

Jan 17, 2025

Making a Difference on ERISA: The ADA in Action

"In a nutshell, the ERISA preemption is applied too broadly by the carriers. In response, nearly two years ago the ADA House of Delegates formed a special committee on ERISA to look for innovative strategies to deal with the problem. We have identified a number of paths forward."

Jan 16, 2025

Talkspace Go Complimentary for ADA Members

The ADA has announced a new resource available for all ADA members and dental students: Talkspace Go, a self-guided therapy app to support mental well-being.

Jan 15, 2025

Giving Back: When You Give to Others, Your Give to Yourself

Dr. Robin Jones is making a difference for low-income, underserved patients in Tacoma. When asked about her practice model, Dr. Robin Jones replied that she is “a general dentist specializing in ‘community dentistry.’ It’s a specialty I created.”

Jan 10, 2025

Addressing Delta’s Anticompetitive Advantage

On Friday, January 10, WSDA met with DDWA and newly elected Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer to discuss key points of our robust dental benefits reform legislation.

Jan 8, 2025

Bracken Killpack: Dental Education in Washington is on the Rise

"The coming year will bring great news for Washington patients and dentistry. That’s because in 2025 our state will have first year predoctoral dental students enrolled in TWO dental schools across THREE different locations – UW-Gonzaga University Health Partnership Building (Spokane), Equity Hall at Pacific Northwest University (Yakima), and UW Health Sciences Center (Seattle)."

Jan 8, 2025

Register for Dental Action Day by January 16

WSDA members can join fellow dentists from across the state at Dental Action Day 2025 in Olympia on January 30 to meet with legislators to advocate for dental benefits reform and other issues affecting the dental profession.

Dec 30, 2024

ADA: Corporate Transparency Act Injunction Reinstated

UPDATE: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals panel reinstated the nationwide injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act Dec. 26. Impacted small businesses are therefore no longer required to comply with the law's reporting requirements until further proceedings take place.