Idaho State Dental Association

09/02/2026

Data Makes Better Compensation Conversations.

What happens when a candidate's salary expectations don't match your budget?

The answer isn't guesswork. It's benchmarking.

The 2026 Idaho Dental Salary Report provides current, Idaho-specific compensation and workforce data to help practice owners understand market trends, evaluate compensation strategies, and approach hiring discussions with confidence.

This year, respondents across multiple Idaho dental societies identified salary demands as their top staffing challenge, highlighting the importance of having reliable local data at your fingertips.

👉 Get the report today: https://www.theisda.org/member-center/membership-benefits/salary-survey

08/30/2026

Compensation Strategies Are Changing. Is Your Practice Keeping Up?

Staffing remains one of the largest expenses for dental practices, and the newly released 2026 Idaho Dental Salary Report highlights how practice owners are adapting to a rapidly evolving labor market.

Among the report's findings:

✅ Greater use of bonuses and incentive compensation
✅ Salary expectations cited as the top staffing challenge by respondents across multiple Idaho dental societies
✅ Continued shifts in regional compensation patterns throughout Idaho

When making decisions about hiring, retention, and compensation, local benchmarking data matters.

The 2026 Idaho Dental Salary Report provides the Idaho-specific insights practice owners need to make informed decisions for the year ahead.

Member-exclusive; log in to download the report: https://www.theisda.org/member-center/membership-benefits/salary-survey

08/27/2026

One less compliance requirement for dental practices.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has permanently exempted U.S. companies from federal beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements.

That means U.S. dental practices are no longer subject to the BOI reporting requirement that had created an additional compliance burden for small businesses.

The ADA advocated for this relief, and practices can now put this requirement behind them.

Read more about what changed: https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2026/august/fincen-permanently-ends-beneficial-ownership-reporting-requirements-for-us-small-businesses/

The Treasury made permanent in regulation the exemption from beneficial ownership information reporting requirements for U.S. companies.

08/26/2026

**What’s next for the ADA? Members will have a chance to weigh in.**

The ADA Governance and Organizational Health Evaluation has included extensive input from members and other stakeholders since it began in April.

The next step: a town hall on **October 9 in Indianapolis** to review preliminary recommendations and hear directly from ADA members.

If you’re an ADA member and want a voice in the conversation about the future of organized dentistry, this is an opportunity to participate.

**Learn more:** ADA.org/governanceupdate

The evaluation now moves from the research phase to synthesis and analysis.

08/19/2026

Antibiotics aren’t always the answer.

The ADA is renewing its focus on antibiotic stewardship in dentistry, and there’s a good reason: dentists account for about 10% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions.

The goal isn't simply to prescribe less. It's to prescribe antibiotics when they're actually needed, and to use the right drug for the right patient, at the right dose and duration.

The ADA and CDC have new resources specifically designed to help dental teams put evidence-based antibiotic stewardship into practice.

👉 Idaho dentists: worth a look. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2026/august/ada-council-highlights-need-for-evidence-based-antibiotic-prescribing

08/16/2026

Major updates for anyone navigating dental school financing or mentoring pre-dental students: federal student aid rules changed on July 1. 🚨

With Grad PLUS loans eliminated and new borrowing caps in place, the ADA released a Student Loan Resource Guide to help the dental community navigate what these changes mean for future practitioners.

Read the breakdown and access the guide here: https://messaging.ada.org/c/156bogOl5GSBTWKtCowFOweiLjmIzEw

08/13/2026

Our 2027 Annual Session venue is officially award-winning! 🎉

Shoutout to the Boise Centre for being named Smart Meetings' Best Conference Center. We’re thrilled to bring the Idaho dental community back together here on June 10–12, 2027.

Mark your calendars—it’s going to be another outstanding Annual Session! 🗓️✨

08/13/2026

Meet Your New Leader

Community is at the heart of great dentistry.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Katelyn Means, DMD, MPH, as the new President of the Idaho Panhandle Dental Society (IPDS).

A general dentist serving patients through community health in Coeur d'Alene, Dr. Means brings a unique perspective to leadership with training in both dentistry and public health. A 2022 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, she believes organized dentistry is about much more than meetings. It's about building relationships and supporting one another.

When asked what inspired her to lead, she shared:

"Community is everything! I especially enjoy networking and collaborating with other dentists who understand our daily grind."

As president, she hopes to create fun events, valuable resources, and a well-connected membership while continuing to strengthen advocacy on behalf of dentists and the patients they serve.

"Leadership is all about the needs and goals of our membership as a whole."

Originally from Pittsburgh, Dr. Means still proudly represents her hometown. Ask her about pierogies, the Cathedral of Learning, or what it's like to be a 6x Super Bowl champion.

Welcome, Dr. Means! We're excited to see your leadership bring North Idaho dentists even closer together.

08/12/2026

Did you know the ISDA online event calendar isn't just for official association events? 🤝

If your local study club, practice, or organization is hosting a course or gathering, submit it to our calendar so dental professionals across Idaho can join. Plus, browse upcoming opportunities near you, like Dr. Gordon Christensen’s upcoming presentation in Nampa!

Submit or view events here: https://www.theisda.org/events/

08/11/2026

Meet Your New Leader

Great leaders rarely get there alone. They get there because someone believed in them first.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Megan Speirs as the new ISDA Trustee representing the Upper Snake River Dental Society (USRDS).

After serving as President of the Upper Snake River Dental Society, Dr. Speirs now begins a new chapter of service on the ISDA Board of Trustees. A general dentist at Machen Family Dentistry in Idaho Falls and a 2021 graduate of the University of Utah School of Dentistry, she credits the people around her for inspiring her to step into leadership.

When asked what motivated her to serve, she shared:

"Amazing mentors and friends who have encouraged and empowered me!"

As she begins her term, one of her biggest goals is helping more dentists discover the value of organized dentistry.

"I'd love to help revitalize our membership and help others see the value of organized dentistry."

Outside the office, Dr. Speirs has a creative side. You'll often find her spending weekends at a local flower farm creating beautiful bouquets.

Welcome, Dr. Speirs! We're excited to have you representing Upper Snake River dentists on the ISDA Board of Trustees.