News Items

WDIA: Attract and Retain Staff with Group Medical Coverage

Many WSDA members use Washington Dentists’ Insurance Agency (WDIA) to purchase individual products such as disability, malpractice, and life to insure their livelihood, but did you know that WDIA can also help you apply for and navigate group medical coverage?

DQAC Dental Infection Control Committee Meeting – June 18

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Infection Control Committee meeting on Friday, June 18.

Seattle Times Op-Ed: Dental Therapists Create a Two-Tiered System of Care

Drs. Marissa Bender and Harlyn Susarla recently authored the op-ed "Dental Therapists Create a Two-Tiered System of Care" for The Seattle Times.

Nominate a Dentist for 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!

PPE Reimbursement Law Clarification

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) recently provided clarification regarding SB-5169, legislation that mandates health benefit plans (insurance carriers that offer medical plans) to reimburse health care providers for PPE.

Study: Most Aerosol Droplets in Dental Procedures from Irrigation Tools, Not Saliva

Patient saliva was found not to be the major source of the microbes in aerosols generated during dental procedures, according to Ohio State University researchers, who analyzed the genetic makeup of the organisms detected in aerosols.

Reminder: Apply for the WSDA Leadership Institute by June 4

Apply by June 4 for the Leadership Institute, a program designed to foster new leadership in organized dentistry.

New ADA Member Benefit: Fitness on Your Terms with ClassPass

ADA members receive FREE access to the ClassPass digital library and 10% off in-person class packages.

HCA: Revised COVID-19 Testing Clinical Policy

Attention Apple Health (Medicaid) providers: HCA has revised its COVID-19 testing clinical policy.

D-MMEX Easyrefine: Returns on Precious Metal Dental Scrap Now at 25-Year High

Submit your precious dental scrap and other precious metal to WSDA-endorsed D-MMEX Easyrefine and receive an additional 2% premium on the total value of your submission.

Department of Labor and Industries’ New Interpreter Scheduling System Now Live

Based on legislation passed in 2018 and designed to improve access to spoken language interpreter services when providing care to injured workers, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has launched a new spoken language interpreter scheduling system.

Dental Insurance Resources for Dentists

See new and existing tools and guidance from the ADA to help dentists understand actions taken by insurance carriers

HCA: Dental surgeries – payment of inpatient hospital facility fees requiring prior authorization

ADA Names Dr. Raymond A. Cohlmia as New Executive Director

The ADA announced May 12 that it named Raymond A. Cohlmia, D.D.S., dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and a former ADA Board of Trustees member, as its executive director, effective Nov. 15.

HCA: PPE Reimbursement for Commercial Plans

DQAC Dental Continuing Competency Committee Meeting – May 28

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Continuing Competency Committee meeting on Friday, May 28.

Wellness Survey Open to Practicing Dentists

The ADA wants to hear about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health and invites dentists to take the 2021 Dentist Health and Well-Being Survey.

How Practice Owners Can Save Money With WSDA Retro

If you're a WSDA member who owns a dental practice, make sure you enroll for free in WSDA Retro to utilize the full value of your membership! Sign up by June 1.

Proposed Rulemaking Hearing for Chapter 182-535 Dental-Related Services

HCA will hold a public rulemaking hearing for Chapter 182-535 Dental-related services on June 8 at 10:00 AM.

Be a Vaccine Champion for Your Patients

As trusted health care providers, dentists can play a critical role in encouraging COVID-19 vaccine uptake among our patients and communities.