Last month, three member dentists and WSDA filed a lawsuit against Delta Dental (WDS) which alleges that the Independent Directors of Delta's board of directors twice have unlawfully rejected bylaw amendments overwhelmingly passed by the organization’s member dentists to improve transparency into operations and make Delta more patient-focused.

Lawsuit Update

Earlier this week, Delta issued a statement to its members about the lawsuit. We thought it was important to clear up some misinformation contained in that statement.

1. Despite what WDS says, the bylaw amendments overwhelmingly adopted by member dentists are squarely focused on empowering member dentists to elect their representation on the WDS Board of Directors instead of the WDS Board hand-picking its dentist directors.
2. The bylaw amendments overwhelmingly adopted by member dentists are not about fees. We do not believe the adopted bylaw amendments raise any antitrust concerns. The adopted bylaw amendments must be read in concert with the entire body of the bylaws and with the board’s duty to comply with the bylaws and all applicable laws, including antitrust laws.
3. Only a board acting contrary to the total body of the bylaws and in breach of its fiduciary duty could allow the bylaw amendments overwhelmingly adopted by member dentists to lead to the concerns suggested by WDS’ most recent statement. 

Recent Media Coverage

The lawsuit has been covered by several media outlets, including:

• KING 5: Lawsuit accuses Delta Dental of ignoring dentists' concerns
• Peninsula Daily News: Dentists sue Delta Dental for more transparency, focus on patients
• Dentistry Today: WSDA Sues Delta Dental of Washington
• ADA News: Washington State Dental Association files complaint against Delta Dental

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