Washington Administrative Code

To be eligible for a license as an EFDA without examination you must:(1) Provide a completed application on forms provided by the secretary;(2) Pay applicable fees as defined in WAC 246-817-990;(3) Provide evidence of:(a) A current license in another state with substantially equi…

An applicant for certification as a dental anesthesia assistant must submit to the department:(1) A completed application on forms provided by the secretary;(2) Applicable fees as defined in WAC 246-817-99005;(3) Evidence of:(a) Completion of a commission approved dental anesthes…

(1) If the credential has expired for three years or less, the practitioner must meet the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.(2) If the credential has expired for over three years, the practitioner must:(a) Comply with the current statutory conditions;(b) Meet the require…

(1) A dentist may obtain an inactive license by meeting the requirements of WAC 246-12-090 and RCW 18.32.185.(2) An inactive license must be renewed every year on or before the practitioner's birthday according to WAC 246-12-100 and 246-817-990.(3) If a license is inactive for th…

(1) To obtain a retired active status license, a licensed dentist must comply with WAC 246-12-120, 246-12-130, and 246-12-140, excluding WAC 246-12-120 (2)(c) and (d).(2) A licensed dentist with a retired active status license may practice under the following conditions:(a) In em…

The license of any dentist, dental hygienist or other individual licensed pursuant to the laws of Washington to engage in any activity being performed in the premises under the supervision or control of a licensed dentist shall be displayed in a place visible to individuals recei…

The following definitions apply to WAC 246-817-304 through 246-817-315 unless the context requires otherwise:(1) "Clinical record" is the portion of the record that contains information regarding the patient exam, diagnosis, treatment discussion, treatment performed, patient prog…

(1) A licensed dentist who treats patients shall maintain legible, complete, and accurate patient records.(2) The patient record must contain the clinical records and the financial records.(3) The clinical record must include at least the following information:(a) For each clinic…

(1) A licensed dentist shall keep readily accessible patient records for at least six years from the date of the last treatment.(2) A licensed dentist shall respond to a written request from a patient to examine or copy a patient's record within fifteen working days after receipt…

If requested as part of an investigation authorized by the secretary, a licensed dentist who operates a dental practice in the state of Washington shall provide to the secretary:(1) Documentation that the licensed dentist is:(a) The owner, purchaser, or lessee of the dental equip…

All licensees engaged in the practice of dentistry shall submit a complete report of any patient mortality or other incident which results in temporary or permanent physical or mental injury requiring hospitalization of said patient during, or as a direct result of dental procedu…

Every dentist who operates a dental office in the state of Washington must write a valid prescription to the dental laboratory or dental technician with whom he/she intends to place an order for the making, repairing, altering or supplying of artificial restorations, substitutes …

When Schedule II, III, IV or V drugs as described in chapter 69.50 RCW are stocked by the dental office for dispensing to patients, an inventory control record must be kept in such a manner to identify disposition of such medicines. Such records shall be available for inspection …

It shall be unprofessional conduct for any dentist to discriminate or to permit any employee or any person under the supervision and control of the dentist to discriminate against any person, in the practice of dentistry, on the basis of race, color, creed or national origin, or …

The attending dentist, without reasonable cause, shall not neglect, ignore, abandon, or refuse to complete the current procedure for a patient. If the dentist chooses to withdraw responsibility for a patient of record, the dentist shall:(1) Advise the patient that termination of …

Dentists shall not represent the care being rendered to their patients or the fees being charged for providing such care in a false or misleading manner, nor alter patient records, such as but not limited to, misrepresenting dates of service or treatment codes.[Statutory Authorit…

A dentist who is personally present, operating as a dentist or personally overseeing the operations being performed in a dental office, over fifty percent of the time that such office is being operated, shall identify himself/herself in any representation to the public associated…

It shall be misleading, deceptive or improper conduct for any dentist to represent that he/she is a member of any dental association, society, organization, or any component thereof where such membership in fact does not exist.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.035. WSR 95-21-041, §…

In order to protect the public from inherently misleading claims of specialty expertise by dentists who are not adequately trained and experienced, a licensed dentist must comply with the requirements in this section to avoid deception of the public with accurate advertising and …

To be exempt from the law prohibiting the practice of dentistry, dental technicians must comply with the provisions of RCW 18.32.030(6). The form of the required prescription is defined in WAC 246-817-330.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.035. WSR 95-21-041, § 246-817-430, filed 10…

The goal of continuing education is to encourage the lifetime professional development of the licensed dentist, and to enhance the clinical and overall skills needed to protect the health and safety of all patients.(1) A licensed dentist shall complete a minimum of 63 hours of co…

Effective August 1, 2020, a licensed dentist must complete a commission-approved one-time training that is at least three hours in length for suicide assessment that includes screening, referral, and imminent harm via lethal means elements.(1) This training must be completed by t…

(1) To renew a certification a certified dental anesthesia assistant must complete a minimum of 14 hours of continuing education every three years and follow the requirements of WAC 246-12-170 through 246-12-240.(2) A certified dental anesthesia assistant must complete a minimum …

The definitions in this section apply throughout this section and WAC 246-817-460 unless the context requires otherwise.(1) "Health care provider" means an individual applying for a credential or credentialed specifically as defined in chapters 18.32, 18.260, and 18.350 RCW.(2) "…

(1) A health care provider shall not engage, or attempt to engage, in sexual misconduct with a current patient, or key party, inside or outside the health care setting. Sexual misconduct shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limi…

The purpose of WAC 246-817-501 through 246-817-570 is to establish guidelines on delegation of duties to persons who are not licensed to practice dentistry. The dental laws of Washington state authorized the delegation of certain duties to nondentist personnel and prohibit the de…

The definitions in this section apply throughout WAC 246-817-501 through 246-817-570 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Close supervision" means that a supervising dentist whose patient is being treated has personally diagnosed the condition to be treated and has …

(1) A supervising dentist may delegate the supportive services in subsection (4) of this section under the dentist's close supervision, provided the registered dental assistant has demonstrated skills necessary to perform each task competently.(2) Delegation of supportive service…

(1) A supervising dentist may delegate the supportive services in subsection (5) of this section under the dentist's close supervision, provided the EFDA has demonstrated skills necessary to perform each task competently.(2) A dentist may delegate the supportive services in subse…

Unlicensed persons may select shade for crowns or fixed prostheses with the use of a technique which does not contact the oral cavity to avoid contamination with blood or saliva. The procedure shall be performed pursuant to the written instructions and order of a licensed dentist…

This list is not all inclusive. Delegation of procedures not in subsections (1) through (22) of this section should not be assumed to be allowed. Supportive services approved for delegation to registered dental assistants are under WAC 246-817-520. A dentist may not allow registe…

This list is not all inclusive. Delegation of procedures not in subsections (1) through (20) of this section should not be assumed to be allowed. Supportive services approved for delegation to licensed expanded function dental auxiliaries are under WAC 246-817-525. A dentist may …

A dentist may allow a dental hygienist licensed under chapter 18.29 RCW to perform the following acts under the dentist's general supervision:(1) Head and neck examination.(2) Oral inspection and measuring of periodontal pockets, with no diagnosis.(3) Record health histories.(4) …

In addition to the acts allowed in WAC 246-817-520 and 246-817-550, a dentist may allow a dental hygienist licensed under chapter 18.29 RCW to perform the following acts under the dentist's close supervision:(1) Perform soft-tissue curettage.(2) Administer local anesthetic agents…

No dentist shall allow a dental hygienist duly licensed under the provisions of chapter 18.29 RCW who is in his/her employ or is acting under his/her supervision or direction to perform any of the following procedures:(1) Any surgical removal of tissue of the oral cavity, except …

(1) A supervising dentist may delegate the administration of a test for screening of novel coronavirus disease 2019 to a registered dental assistant and licensed expanded function dental auxiliary under the dentist's close supervision, provided the registered dental assistant and…

(1) A supervising dentist may delegate the administration of a vaccination of novel coronavirus disease 2019 to a licensed dental hygienist under the dentist's close supervision, provided the licensed dental hygienist has demonstrated skills necessary to perform the task competen…

The purpose of WAC 246-817-601 through 246-817-660 is to establish requirements for infection control where dentistry is provided in the state of Washington to protect the health and well-being of the people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines for Infection…

The following definitions apply throughout WAC 246-817-601 through 246-817-660 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Hand hygiene" means the use of soap and water when hands are visibly soiled; or use of an alcohol-based hand rub.(2) "Practitioner" means a licensed d…

(1) A licensed dentist shall develop and maintain written infection prevention policies and procedures appropriate for the dental services provided by the facility.(2) A licensed dentist shall review with all practitioners the current office infection prevention policies and proc…

A practitioner shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act under chapter 49.17 RCW.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.002 and 18.32.0365. WSR 21-01-214, § 246-817-625, filed 12/23/20, effective 1/23/21.]

A practitioner shall perform hand hygiene as defined in WAC 246-817-610 in any of these situations:(1) When hands are visibly soiled;(2) In the event of barehanded touching of instruments, equipment, materials, and other objects likely to be contaminated by blood, saliva, or resp…

(1) A practitioner shall wear gloves whenever there is a potential for contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, nonintact skin, or contaminated equipment.(a) New gloves are required for each patient.(b) Gloves must not be washed or reused.(c) Gloves selection must be ba…

(1) A licensed dentist shall post signs in a place visible to individuals receiving services in the premises with instructions to patients with symptoms of respiratory infection to:(a) Cover their mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing;(b) Use and dispose of tissues;(c) Perform han…

(1) A practitioner shall follow the CDC Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings: Basic Expectations for Safe Care, March 2016, guidelines for safe injection practices in dental settings.(2) A practitioner shall use either a one-handed scoop technique or mecha…

A practitioner shall:(1) Follow the CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings 2003, MMWR Vol. 52, No. RR-17, Appendix C for Methods for Sterilizing and Disinfecting Patient-Care Items and Environmental Surfaces, including:(a) Clean and reprocess through …

(1) A licensed dentist shall use water for nonsurgical procedures that meets United States Environmental Protection Agency regulatory standards for drinking water of five hundred or less colony-forming units or CFUs/mL.(2) A licensed dentist shall follow dental equipment manufact…

The purpose of WAC 246-817-701 through 246-817-790 is to govern the administration of anesthetic, sedation, and general anesthesia by dentists licensed in the state of Washington in settings other than hospitals as defined in WAC 246-320-010 and ambulatory surgical facilities as …

The definitions in this section apply throughout WAC 246-817-701 through 246-817-790 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Advanced cardiac life support" or "ACLS" means a set of clinical interventions for the urgent treatment of cardiac arrest, stroke, and other lif…

(1) Dental staff providing direct patient care in an in-office or out-patient setting must hold a current and valid health care provider BLS certification. Initial and renewal certification must include both didactic and hands-on components.(2) Health care provider BLS certificat…