News Items

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.

DQAC Newsletter – March 2023

Read the latest newsletter from the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Employment Security Department Newsletter – March 2023

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

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.

HCA: HCA Rulemaking Notice for WSR 23-06

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.