The Department of Health (DOH) launched the Power of Providers (POP) Initiative in July, with the goal of empowering health professionals across Washington to recommend the COVID-19 vaccination to their patients and clients. WSDA, along with over twenty other health care organizations and associations, signed on to the initiative.

WSDA member Dr. Theresa Cheng of Issaquah is the recipient of the 2021 American Dental Association (ADA) Humanitarian Award.

The ADA is encouraging dentists to apply for the fourth phase of the Health Resources and Services Administration's Provider Relief Fund as soon as possible ahead of the Oct. 26 deadline, according to ADA News.

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting on Friday, Oct. 22 at 8:30 AM.

By Jan. 1, 2022, health care facilities subject to the EHR/PMP integration requirement must be in compliance or have received a waiver of compliance issued by the DOH.

The Tooth Fairy Experience — the dental health education program WSDA partners on with Delta Dental of Washington — will be promoting a statewide list of dentists participating in a Halloween candy buy-back.

On Sept. 9, the Association of Washington Businesses sent a letter to Governor Inslee expressing concerns with the Long-Term Care Services and Supports Trust (LTSST) program. WSDA signed onto the letter, along with a diverse group of employers, local governments, labor unions, and other organizations.

The Department of Health (DOH) released an updated COVID-19 vaccine mandate FAQ, which aims to clarify questions arising from Proclamation 21-14.1.

Effective Oct. 1, Medicaid providers will need to check the Washington State Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) prior to prescribing any controlled substance (Schedule II through Schedule IV, not just opioids) to a patient enrolled in an Apple Health Managed Care plan or Fee-for-Service program.

In 2020, the Legislature passed Substitute House Bill 2308, which as of Oct. 1, 2022, will require employers to report the standard occupational classification (SOC) code of workers to the Employment Security Department (ESD).

The ADA is calling on dental professionals to sign up to participate in the Give Kids A Smile program, which will mark its 20th anniversary next year.

In accordance with a King County-issued mandate, attendance at PNDC 2021 will require proof of vaccination or a negative PCR COVID test administered within 72 hours of arrival at registration. In addition, based on the current requirements set forth by Washington state, masks will be required while indoors at PNDC.