Blog

Jun 6, 2023

Changes to WA Hygiene Licensure Become Effective July 23

Effective July 23, hygienists seeking an initial limited license in Washington state will no longer be required to be currently engaged in active practice in order to apply. Additionally, the name of the initial and renewed limited license for hygienists is changed to an initial and renewed temporary license, and the expiration of the license is extended from 18 months to five years.

Jun 6, 2023

Reminder: LTSS Trust Program Withholding Will Begin July 1

The LTSS Trust Program is on track for implementation on July 1, 2023 and will be funded by a .58 percent premium assessment on employee wages. Learn more about how this program will affect employers, employees, and self-employed individuals.

Jun 5, 2023

Bracken Killpack: The Value of the American Dental Association – Organized Dentistry’s Public Works

"While there are many reasons why the American Dental Association is valuable to our nation’s dentists, I believe it is important to point out some of the less obvious values. Like road, electrical, water, and sewage systems help ensure stable communities, the ADA provides important infrastructure that sustains and enhances the work of state dental associations, local dental societies, and your practice."

Jun 5, 2023

DQAC Business Meeting – April 28

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting in a hybrid format on Friday, April 28 at 10:00 AM.

May 26, 2023

CE Options to Meet New June 27 DEA Requirement

Effective June 27, 2023, prescribers of controlled substances, including dentists, must complete eight hours of one-time training on safely prescribing controlled substances (Schedules II, III, IV, and/or V) in order to receive or renew their registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). See CE options at PNDC, from UW Continuing Dental Education, and from the ADA to meet the requirement.

May 19, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Summary

During the 2023 legislative session, WSDA successfully advocated for the passage of three important dental workforce bills that reduce barriers to hygiene licensure in our state and increase licensure portability for dentists and hygienists. In addition to advocating for important workforce legislation, WSDA also supported or opposed several bills this session concerning dental-related issues, insurance, small business issues, employer/employee matters, and much more.

May 18, 2023

5-Minute Dental Infection Prevention Survey

The Washington State Department of Health, Healthcare-Associated Infections, and Antimicrobial Resistance Section is asking for you to fill out a 5-minute survey about infection prevention in your dental facility.

May 10, 2023

Meet CE Requirements at PNDC 2023

Earn 20+ CE credits and fulfill minimal sedation and basic life support CE requirements at PNDC 2023, June 15-17 in Seattle. WSDA members register for just $450 (or just $325 for recent grads)!

May 10, 2023

Submit Public Comment on the Military Family Leave Act by June 9

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has released a draft administrative policy to provide guidance on the Military Family Leave Act requirements for employers. L&I is holding a public feedback session on Tuesday, May 23, and the draft policy will be open for public comment until Friday, June 9.

May 10, 2023

Webinar: HPV Vaccine Starts at 9

The Department of Health is hosting the webinar "HPV Vaccine Starts at 9: Why? How? Now! Cancer Prevention Made Easy" on May 16.

May 10, 2023

Upcoming Employment Law Webinars from L&I

Learn about key employment laws at upcoming L&I webinars. Webinar topics include Employer Guide to Workers’ Rights, Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, Isolated Worker Protections, Know Your Worker Rights and White Collar (EAP) Overtime Exemptions.

Apr 25, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 15 (April 17-23)

Washington state’s 105-day legislative session adjourned, on time, on Sunday, April 23, 2023. This session WSDA tracked several bills concerning dental-related issues, workforce, insurance, small business issues, employer/employee matters, and much more. Read for an update on WSDA’s week 15 activities in Olympia.

Apr 21, 2023

Be Aware of Medicaid Renewal Scams

Please be aware of Medicaid renewal scams. Reports of fake texts and phone calls to Medicaid clients have been reported over the past couple weeks in other states.

Apr 14, 2023

Workforce Legislation Update

Three important dental workforce bills that reduce barriers to hygiene licensure in our state and increase licensure portability for dentists and hygienists, including WSDA’s ESHB 1466, have passed the Legislature.

Apr 14, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 14 (April 10-16)

April 12 was opposite house cutoff, one of the final milestones of the 2023 session. Bills sent to the opposite house needed to be passed out by April 12 in order to stay “alive” and continue along in the legislative process. Read for an update on WSDA’s week 14 activities in Olympia.

Apr 13, 2023

DOH Update on Guidance for HPV Vaccination

Earlier this year, the Washington State Immunization Information System within the Department of Health (DOH) updated its guidance to recommend administering the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine starting at age 9.

Apr 7, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 13 (April 3-9)

April 4 was opposite house fiscal cutoff, the fifth major milestone of the 2023 legislative session. This meant bills that were sent to a fiscal committee needed to be voted out by April 4 in order to stay “alive” and continue along in the legislative process. Read for an update on WSDA’s week 13 activities in Olympia.

Apr 5, 2023

ADA Answers Your Questions on New DEA Registration Requirement Effective June 27

Effective June 27, 2023, prescribers of controlled substances, including dentists, must complete eight hours of one-time training on safely prescribing controlled substances (Schedules II, III, IV, and/or V) in order to receive or renew their registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Apr 5, 2023

Employee Retention Credit: What Dentists Should Know

WSDA wants eligible dental practices to be aware of the opportunity to claim the Employee Retention Credit, but we encourage practices to exercise caution in who they work with, as the credit has been the subject of recent fraud.

Apr 5, 2023

PNDC 2023 Early Bird Deadline: Friday, April 28!

Register for PNDC 2023 by Friday, April 28 to save up to $100/person on registration! Earn 20+ CE credits, shop the Exhibit Hall (now open on Saturday), enjoy special events and more all for one low price. WSDA members register for just $350 ($225 for recent dental school grads) at the Early Bird price.

Mar 31, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 12 (March 27-April 2)

By March 29, bills must have been voted out of their opposite house policy committee to stay “alive” and continue along in the legislative process. Bills that have been sent to a fiscal committee in the opposite house have until April 4 to pass out of committee. Read for an update of WSDA’s week 12 activities in Olympia.

Mar 27, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Update: Week 11 (March 20-26)

On March 21, several dental workforce bills had a public hearing in the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee and subsequently passed out of the Committee on March 23. The Legislature will continue to devote most of its time to Committee work until opposite house policy cutoff on March 29. Read for an update on WSDA’s week 11 activities in Olympia.

Mar 21, 2023

ADA Receives Clarification On No Surprises Act

Dental providers and facilities are “generally required to provide uninsured patients with a good faith estimate of expected charges” unless the patient is enrolled in an excepted benefit plan or coverage such as a stand-alone dental plan, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid.