After serving six terms in the Washington State House of Representatives, Rep. Michelle Valdez (Caldier) retired from office at the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session.

WSDA is deeply appreciative of the hard work and dedication Rep. Valdez showed throughout her time in the Legislature. As the only dentist to serve during her tenure, she provided a valuable perspective in Olympia on the importance of oral health to overall health; the practice of dentistry; and how legislative decisions impact the profession, the health care workforce, and dental patients. She effectively used her assignment on the House Health Care & Wellness Committee to champion several key issues including reforms promoting quality oral health care in our state, protecting the doctor-patient relationship, and opposing unfair insurance practices.

Rep. Valdez has also been a tireless advocate for vulnerable populations as a dentist and as an elected official. Throughout her career, she primarily served our state’s geriatric patients while also donating much of her time to uncompensated care. As a state representative, she made it her purpose to protect those without a voice. She was awarded WSDA’s Citizen of the Year Award in 2018 to recognize these efforts and more.