Winter 2026

Welcome to Your Winter WDDS e-Newsletter

As we enter the winter season and look ahead to 2026, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to each of you for your ongoing commitment to clinical excellence and community service. Dentistry continues to evolve at an incredible pace — whether through legislative action in Lansing, emerging reimbursement models, or rapid advances in technology — and our strength as a society comes from staying connected, informed, and engaged.

This winter edition of the WDDS newsletter highlights several important updates affecting our profession, along with opportunities for continuing education, advocacy, and collaboration. I encourage you to take a moment to review the legislative developments currently moving through the Michigan Legislature.

Thank you for your dedication to the oral health of Washtenaw County. I look forward to another year of working together to support one another, elevate our profession, and continue making WDDS a strong and vibrant organization.

Stay warm and stay well!

Dr. Joshua Deuel

WDDS Editor

Note these Upcoming WDDS Events

Here’s a listing of upcoming WDDS events – see below. 

• Monday, Jan. 12: General Meeting, 6-8:30 p.m. at Webers Inn. Dinner and Lecture: “Health and Wellness of the Dental Practitioner: Unlocking the Secrets to Protecting your Body and Preserving Your Career.” Click here to register.
• Friday, Jan. 30: 6-8 p.m., WWDDS Social Event at Wolverine Pickleball. Come join for Pickleball instruction, court time, food, and drinks! $20 for WDDS members and $40 for guests. More information and registration.
• Thursday, Feb. 5: New Dentist Event, location and time to be determined.
• Monday, March 9: WDDS Annual Business meeting at Webers Inn. Get an update from MDA President Dr. Cheri Newman and University of Michigan School of Dentistry Dean Dr. Jacques Nör.

ADA, MDA, and WDDS Association Updates

The American Dental Association House of Delegates took place in October in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, a strong sentiment was shared for significant change at the national level. The ADA’s Strategic Forecasting Committee was dissolved, there was significant pressure on the ADA Board for transparency and input from the House with the budget, and the House elected a candidate for president-elect nominated from the floor of the House of Delegates, bypassing two outgoing Board of Trustee members, including Michigan’s own Dr. Michele Tulak-Gorecki. We hope that these actions will lead to more accountability and transparency at the national level that will continue to improve not only the return on investment for members, but also the rate of membership. 

Closer to home, renewal season is here! We are pleased that a new association management software system, called Novi (pronounced No-vee — not like the city!), will help usher in a smoother renewal process than in 2024 with the ADA’s Salesforce/Fonteva system, which was plagued with problems. Many of you have already renewed, but if you have any questions or concerns about renewing your membership, including issues with MDA’s Group Membership pilot program, please don’t hesitate to reach out — the WDDS and MDA are here to help make the process as smooth as possible. 

And, here in Washtenaw District, in 2026 we will be voting at our annual business meeting to update our bylaws to bring ours up-to-date with both Michigan state law and Michigan Dental Association policy. Please monitor your inboxes this month with more information for your review. If you would like to weigh in on our bylaws updates, please contact Dr. Riley Schaff.

Interstate Dentist/Dental Hygienist Compact Legislation Introduced in Michigan

Michigan House Bill 4935, the Interstate Dentist/Dental Hygienist Compact, was introduced Sept. 11, 2025. If passed, this bill would allow Michigan to enter the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, enabling license portability across participating states. The Compact allows a licensed dentist or dental hygienist in one member state to obtain a “compact privilege” — authorizing them to practice in another member state without needing to obtain a separate license there.

If Michigan joins the Compact, local dentists and hygienists could gain easier mobility across states — helpful for those relocating or practicing in multiple states.

Practices considering hiring out-of-state providers also may find it simpler to onboard new staff if license portability becomes law. For newer dentists or hygienists early in their careers, this could expand employment opportunities nationally. Click on the button below for more information.

What to Know about Covenants Not to Compete and Practice Sale/Employment Agreements

An article in a recent edition of the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association clarified that covenants not to compete in employment agreements (vs. purchase agreements) are judged differently under Michigan law. Employment-based covenants tend to be enforced only if “reasonable” (generally two to three years and limited to a patient draw area), whereas purchase-agreement covenants follow the looser “rule of reason.” This is especially pertinent for members considering selling a practice, hiring associates, or structuring partnerships

Click the buttons below for more information from the Journal's Dentistry and the Law columns:

Have You Met HERM-E Yet?

The Michigan Dental Association has introduced HERM-E, the new AI-powered digital assistant at michigandental.org. HERM-E is designed to support members like you 24/7, helping you quickly find answers, connect to resources, and get more out of your membership. 

HERM-E is short for Helpful, Efficient Resource for Members – Everywhere. Whether you’re looking for information on continuing education, details about your member benefits, or resources to support your practice, HERM-E is ready to guide you — anytime, anywhere.

Check HERM-E out right at the top of the website next to the MDA logo.

Community Updates of Note

We are saddened to report the death of member dentist Dr. Wayne Colquitt, age 83, who passed away on Aug. 5, 2025. Dr. Colquitt, of Ann Arbor, was a member of the Washtenaw District Dental Society. Please click here to view his obituary.

A special congratulations goes to Dr. Yousif Maizy and Dr. Alivia Stoddard on the birth of their first-born child, Maya Maizy, who was born Dec. 6, 2025. 

Join us in celebrating the recent retirements of the following members — congratulations on your incredible careers!

• Dr. Gary Sasak
• Dr. Heawon Kim
• Dr. Sharon Brooks

Have a member update to share? Whether it’s a retirement, a new baby, a new practice, or the loss of a colleague, we’d love to hear from you. Please send updates to Amanda Bohle (WDDS executive director) or Joshua Deuel (WDDS editor).

Have a great winter and thanks for your service and support!

Washtenaw District Dental Society

Amanda Bohle, Executive Director 

PO Box 2584

Ann Arbor, MI 48106

734-249-8189

wdds.director@gmail.com

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