Patient FAQs

In accordance with Washington state law, all dentists are required to take at least 21 hours of continuing dental education every year, which means that they are constantly upgrading their technical skills. Additionally, dentists who are members of the Washington State Dental Association must practice ethically to maintain membership.

Their professional conduct is governed by the American Dental Association Principles of Ethics, the WSDA Code of Ethics, the Washington Dental Practice Act, and all applicable federal or state criminal statutes. You may call the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission office at (360) 236-4700 to find out if a formal complaint has been filed against any dentist or use the Department of Health's Provider Credential Search.

Call your current dentist and ask for them. Usually the dentist will require that you sign a form that authorizes the release of the records, identifies the information to be disclosed, and identifies the person to whom the information is to be disclosed. Dentists may charge a reasonable fee for searching and duplicating medical records and they have 15 working days to make the records available to the requesting patient.

For further information on the release of records, contact the Dental Quality Assurance Commission at (360) 236-4860.

That's a very difficult question to answer because the Washington State Dental Association is not allowed to gather fee information (it's a violation of anti-trust rules). We recommend that the patient and the dentist discuss fees openly and candidly before procedures are performed. That's always a good preventive measure.

The only way to compare fees is to call another dentist and find out what the fee is for a similar procedure. But before you do this, be sure to call your dentist's office and discuss the fee you are concerned about. There may have been a billing error or misunderstanding.

We recommend that you first contact your dentist to discuss the treatment and the problem associated with it. If you are unable to come to an agreement, you should consider going through the doctor-patient mediation process, in which your case will be reviewed by a panel of dentists in your community. This begins with a call to your local dental society, and is available exclusively to patients of members of the Washington State Dental Association. As a last resort, you may call the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission at (360) 236-4700 to file a formal complaint.

​Reduced cost dentistry is best obtained through a public clinic. The Washington state 211 program can help you find a clinic and services in your area. You may dial "211" or visit win211.org. 

If you have any questions about proposed treatment, discuss them with your dentist. If you're still not sure if the treatment is needed, get a second opinion. Call your local dental society for a referral or talk to friends for the names of dentists they recommend.

Cal the Washington State Department of Health Services hotline at 800-562-3022 or visit the Washington Health Care Authority website.

You can contact the Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner for assistance. Call the OIC at 1-800-562-6900, or visit them online at Office of the Insurance Commissioner.