Blog

Mar 20, 2023

Washington Dental Practices Target of Rest and Meal Period Lawsuits

WSDA wants you to be aware that dental offices in our state have been the subject of lawsuits concerning rest and meal periods for employees. Please confirm that you are in compliance with all related requirements.

Mar 17, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 10 (March 13-19)

During week ten, the Legislature returned to Committee to hear and amend bills from the opposite chamber. The Legislature will devote most of their time to Committee work until opposite house policy cutoff on March 29. Read for an update on WSDA’s week ten activities in Olympia.

Mar 16, 2023

Legal Alert: Is Your Dental Practice in Compliance with Washington’s Rest and Meal Period Requirements?

WSDA wants you to be aware that dental offices in our state have been the subject of lawsuits concerning rest and meal periods for employees. This legal alert summarizes certain aspects of the current Washington state law regarding rest and meal periods applicable to the non-exempt employees in dental practices.

Mar 10, 2023

Court Extends Discovery Period in ADA Lawsuit Against Delta Dental

In 2019, the ADA filed a class action lawsuit against the Delta Dental Plans and the Delta Dental Plans Association, and in January, the federal district court for the Northern District of Illinois amended its scheduling order to allow the parties additional time to conduct discovery.

Mar 10, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 9 (March 6-12)

March 8 was house of origin cutoff, the third major milestone of the 2023 legislative session. This means that bills, with the exception of those necessary to implement the budget, must have been voted out of their respective chamber by March 8 in order to stay “alive” and move forward in the legislative process. Read for an update on WSDA’s week nine activities in Olympia.

Mar 9, 2023

Employment Security Department Newsletter – March 2023

Review information and resources from the Employment Security Department (ESD) March 2023 newsletter.

Mar 9, 2023

Webinar: What Emergency Medicine Providers Want Dentists to Know About Opioids – March 21

Register for the March 21 webinar "What Emergency Medicine Providers Want Dentists to Know About Opioids," presented by the ADA’s Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention (CAAP) Emergency Department Referral Initiative.

Mar 7, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 8 (Feb. 27-March 5)

On March 5, the Legislature passed several dental-specific and workforce bills out of the House of Representatives. During week eight, the Legislature devoted their time to debating and voting bills out of their respective chamber of origin. Read for an update on WSDA’s week eight activities in Olympia.

Mar 3, 2023

Review DQAC's Proposed Anesthesia Rules

For more than three years, the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) has been working to update Washington state’s dental anesthesia rules. WSDA encourages members to review the proposed rules and submit questions or concerns via email or virtually at DQAC's March 10 business meeting.

Mar 3, 2023

Apply by April 25 for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

Eligible dentists are able to apply for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program now through April 25, 2023.

Mar 3, 2023

N95 Masking Requirements Change with COVID Community Transmission Levels

With certain exceptions, health care providers are no longer required to wear an N95 respirator, including when performing aerosol generating procedures. Read for more details and exceptions to this updated COVID requirement.

Mar 3, 2023

Secretary of Health Mask Order to End April 3

Effective April 3, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) will end the Secretary of Health Statewide Face Covering Order currently in effect for health care (including dental).

Mar 2, 2023

Reminder: ASL Interpreter Provider Obligations

A dental office is considered to be a place of public accommodation and thus is prohibited from discriminating for any reason due to a disability. Accordingly, dental offices are required to provide an interpreter if one is needed to effectively communicate with a hearing-impaired patient.

Mar 2, 2023

Reminder: Dental Infection Control Requirements

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) previously finalized dental infection control rules in December 2020, and the majority of these rules became effective January 2021. The rules apply to settings wherever dentistry is provided in Washington and include several requirements that dentists must comply with.

Mar 2, 2023

RSVP for the WSDA Mentor Program Virtual Networking Session

WSDA members interested in pursuing or offering professional mentorship are invited to attend the WSDA Mentor Program Virtual Networking Session on Thursday, March 30!

Mar 2, 2023

Registration is Open for PNDC 2023!

Registration is open now for the 2023 Pacific Northwest Dental Conference, June 15-17 in Seattle! Earn 20+ CE credits, shop the Exhibit Hall (now open on Saturday), enjoy special events and more all for one low price.

Mar 1, 2023

Free Virtual CE from WSDA – March 16 & April 26

Members can register now for two upcoming free virtual CE courses from WSDA and Columbia Bank: "Essential Steps When Selling or Buying a Dental Practice" on March 16 and "Protecting Your Practice Through Adversity" on April 26.

Mar 1, 2023

Volunteer at the Seattle/King County Clinic

Dental professionals looking for a volunteer opportunity can sign up to volunteer for the 2023 Seattle/King County Clinic, held April 27-30 at Seattle Center.

Mar 1, 2023

Bracken Killpack: Building a Stronger WSDA

"We must provide specific, differentiated value for all dentists regardless of how they practice – with benefits aligned to the north star of our mission."

Feb 28, 2023

Are Credit Card Fees Affecting Your Bottom Line?

Without a vigilant management strategy, credit card processing fees can add up and affect your bottom line. Review tips for minimizing fees from WSDA and ADA endorsed company Best Card.