News Items

HCA: Requesting Sign Language Interpreters

Can a Dental Practice in Washington Mandate its Employees Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations?

WSDA’s outside legal counsel, Studebaker Nault, answers questions regarding whether Washington dental offices can mandate that their staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Congress Passes COVID-19 Relief

After thousands of grassroots emails from ADA members, as well as extensive lobbying from the ADA’s Government Affairs team, Congress has passed an end of the year package.

Attention King County Dental Offices: Vaccine Clinic This Weekend in Seattle

WSDA has been made aware of a large vaccine clinic planned for this weekend in Seattle by Kelly-Ross Pharmacy Group.

2021 Loan Repayment Assistance with Washington Health Corps

2021 provider applications close March 1, 2021, apply now if interested!

Vaccine Update: Updated Provider List, Voucher Letter, Employee Mandate Info

As of today, the Department of Health (DOH) has provided two methods for dental teams to verify their Phase 1A status and find a location to receive the vaccine in their area.

DQAC Dental Anesthesia Committee Meeting – Jan. 15

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Anesthesia Committee meeting on Friday, Jan. 15 at 3 PM.

Reminder: Minimum Wage Increase

As of Jan. 1, 2021 the state minimum wage is $13.69 an hour, up from $13.50 an hour in 2020. The increase in minimum wage impacts salary thresholds for overtime exempt employees.

HCA: Dental – CDT® Code Change for Frenectomy

DQAC Special Business Meeting – Jan. 7

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a special business meeting on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 12 PM.

Updated Dental Infection Control Rules

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) finalized new Dental Infection Control Rules on Dec. 23, 2020.

Complete the HPSA Survey

If you practice as a general dental practitioner or pediatric dentist, please take the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) survey.

Vaccine Update: Dental Team Included in Phase 1A, Tier 2

Today, state authorities updated Phase 1A of Washington's COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Guidance, adding a second tier to 1A that allows for the vaccination of all workers in health care settings, including the dental team.

Vaccination Update, COVID-19 Relief Package, Provider Relief Fund

COVID-19 Updates: Vaccination update, Congress passes relief package, HHS launches next round of Provider Relief Fund payments.

Congress Passes Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act

On Dec. 22, the Senate voted to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson antitrust exemption for health insurance companies by passing HR 1418, the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act.

HHS Launches 3rd Round of Provider Relief Fund Payments

The next round of Provider Relief Fund distributions from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is now underway.

New Telehealth Training & Other CE Requirements

Several upcoming continuing education requirements for dentists include a new telehealth training requirement, suicide prevention training and opioid prescribing CE.

Join HPI's COVID-19 Impact on Dental Practices Panel

Want to help ensure the data collected in HPI polling is representative of Washington dentists? Join the panel!

WSDA, ADA & Local Dental Society Membership Renewals Due. Jan 1

Please renew your WSDA, ADA and local dental society membership for 2021 by Jan. 1.

How COVID-19 is Reshaping Dentistry

To learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the future of dentistry, WSDA News asked four experts — Drs. Gordon Christensen, Gary Chiodo, Beatrice Gandara and John Kois — for their take on where things are headed.