Aug 12, 2021
WSDA Response to Vaccine Mandate
WSDA sent a letter to the governor today urging him to modify Proclamation 21-14 to include an optional “vaccinate or test” policy.
Blog
Aug 9, 2021
State Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Health Care Workers, Including Dental Offices
Gov. Jay Inslee announced a requirement for workers in private health care (including dental offices) and long-term care settings, in addition to most state workers, contractors, and volunteers, to be fully vaccinated with a recommended COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021.
Aug 5, 2021
Take Action Now: LTSS Program Deadline Quickly Approaching
The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Program is on track for implementation on Jan. 1, 2022, and with the deadline quickly approaching, it is imperative that individuals wanting to opt-out of the program start exploring their long-term care coverage options.
Aug 5, 2021
Dental Therapy Task Force Information
Information about the State appointed Dental Therapy Task Force meetings can be found here.
Jul 30, 2021
Meet CE Requirements for Dentists at PNDC 2021
Meet infection control, suicide prevention, opioid prescribing, minimal & moderate sedation, and BLS CE requirements for dentists at PNDC 2021, Nov. 11-13 in Seattle.
Jul 29, 2021
WSDA House of Delegates: Sept. 9-11 in Spokane
The 2021 WSDA House of Delegates, the governing body of the Association, will meet Sept. 9-11 at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane. See current resolutions, delegates, candidates for elected positions and more.
Jul 23, 2021
State-Appointed Dental Therapy Task Force Meetings Open to Public
A state-appointed dental therapy task force will hold its first meeting, which is open to the public, on Monday, July 26 from 2-4 PM.
Jul 21, 2021
State Calls on Providers to Continue Work to Boost COVID-19 Vaccination
Last Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH announced the Power of Providers (POP) Initiative to continue to encourage all health care providers in the state to reach out and talk to their patients about COVID-19 vaccination.
Jul 19, 2021
DQAC Business Meeting – July 30
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting on Friday, July 30 at 8:30 AM.
Jul 19, 2021
CDC Revises Infection Control Guidance for Dentistry
The CDC has revised infection control guidance for dental offices, removing recommendations that dentists avoid aerosol-generating procedures for all patients and replacing it with language advising that the procedures be avoided only for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Jul 15, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative Event with Gov. Inslee for Health Care Providers
Governor Jay Inslee, Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, and the Washington State Department of Health are inviting all health care providers in the state to a virtual meeting on Friday, July 16 from 7:30-8:00 AM.
Jul 14, 2021
ADA Releases Updated COVID-19 Dental Office Procedures Emphasizing Need for Hazard Assessments
The American Dental Association's new Update to Office Procedures During COVID-19 provides updated information for dentists to consider as they assess COVID-19 workplace hazards and make decisions that are best for their practices.
Jul 12, 2021
PPP Forgiveness Deadlines Approaching for Borrowers Who Received First Draw Loans
For dentists who received first draw Paycheck Protection Program loans, the deadline to apply for loan forgiveness could be on the horizon. Depending on when the borrower received the loan and used the funds, the forgiveness period could fall between July and September of this year.
Jul 9, 2021
Attention Medicaid Providers: New PMP Rule Goes into Effect Oct. 1, 2021
The Health Care Authority (HCA) has filed a permanent rule regarding the SUPPORT Act that will become effective Oct. 1, 2021 and impact all Apple Health (Medicaid) providers who prescribe controlled substances.
Jul 9, 2021
Changes to Covered Apple Health Dental-related Services
The Health Care Authority (HCA) has announced rule changes to covered Apple Health (Medicaid) dental-related services.
Jul 7, 2021
Apple Health Reimbursement Rate Increase & Provider Enrollment Resources
On July 1, reimbursement rates for nearly all Apple Health covered services increased by 100%. Learn more about how to enroll as an Apple Health provider and sign up for DentistLink to start receiving referrals for adult Apple Health enrollees.
Jul 6, 2021
The Small Business Flex Fund Loan Application is Now Live
The Department of Commerce has opened applications for Small Business Flex Fund loans, allowing businesses or nonprofits to apply to borrow up to $150,000 from community lenders at an interest rate between 3% - 4.5%.
Jun 30, 2021
June 30 Reopening Update for Dental Offices
As health care settings — which are exempted from many of the new reopening and masking guidelines — dental offices are still required to follow enhanced COVID-19 safety and masking requirements.
Jun 29, 2021
Reunite With the WA Dental Community at PNDC 2021
Reunite with the dental community and celebrate the resiliency of our profession at PNDC 2021, November 11-13 in Seattle. Registration is open now!
Jun 28, 2021
Prepare for Dec. 1 Water Line Testing Requirement with Free Webinars
Attend a free webinar from Harris Biomedical to help prepare for DQAC's new water line testing requirements taking effect Dec. 1, 2021.
Jun 28, 2021
Part-Time Assignments, Lasting Fulfillment
Locum tenens and other part-time opportunities fill vacancies, provide varied pathways in dentistry.
Jun 28, 2021
Doing Something About It: How WSDA, Delta Dental, UW School of Dentistry and Others are Confronting the Dental Hygiene Shortage
Read the WSDA News Spring 2021 cover story to learn more about efforts to address workforce shortages, including new support for dental hygiene education at the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
Jun 25, 2021
The Shoreline Community College Dental Hygiene Program at UW Needs Your Support!
Please consider donating in support of the Shoreline Dental Hygiene Program at the UW School of Dentistry. 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!
Jun 17, 2021
OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard Update
On June 10, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) on COVID-19.
Jun 16, 2021
DQAC Business Meeting – June 25
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting on Friday, June 25 at 8:30 AM.
Jun 15, 2021
Rule Update on Specialty Representation – Effective July 3, 2021
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) has modified our state’s dental specialty representation rule (WAC 246-817-420) to clarify specialty areas of practice and add requirements for those who would like to represent themselves as specialists.
Jun 9, 2021
Dental Office COVID-19 Protections Have Worked, ADA Tells Administration
Representatives from the ADA told White House Office of Management and Budget officials last week that there is little risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in dental offices.
Jun 8, 2021
DQAC Dental Anesthesia Committee Meeting – June 18
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Anesthesia Committee meeting on Friday, June 18 at 2:00 PM.
Jun 4, 2021
What Does Updated CDC Mask Guidance Mean for Dental Offices?
The ADA has released answers to questions dental practices are getting about revised CDC recommendations on mask use for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Jun 2, 2021
2021 Legislative Session Summary
Washington's legislative session adjourned on April 25, 2021. Read a summary of passed legislation that may impact you as a provider, business owner, employer, or employee.
Jun 1, 2021
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?
Jun 1, 2021
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.
Jun 1, 2021
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.
May 28, 2021
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!
May 27, 2021
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.
May 26, 2021
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.
May 25, 2021
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.
May 24, 2021
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.
May 20, 2021
HCA: Revised COVID-19 Testing Clinical Policy
Attention Apple Health (Medicaid) providers: HCA has revised its COVID-19 testing clinical policy.
May 19, 2021
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.
May 18, 2021
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.
May 14, 2021
Dental Insurance Resources for Dentists
See new and existing tools and guidance from the ADA to help dentists understand actions taken by insurance carriers
May 13, 2021
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.
May 13, 2021
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.
May 12, 2021
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.
May 11, 2021
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.
May 6, 2021
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.
May 4, 2021
Regulatory Update – April 2021
Rulemaking is currently in progress to amend the requirements for continuing education, dental examination content, and delegation of COVID-19 screenings.
Apr 28, 2021
Dental Assistant Training Resources
In an effort to assist members with training dental assistants new to their practice, WSDA is working to gather a variety of training resources.
Apr 28, 2021
DQAC Dental Anesthesia Committee Meeting – May 14
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Anesthesia Committee meeting on Friday, May 14.
