Title 18 — Title 18 BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS

The legislature finds that the health and well-being of the people of this state are of paramount importance.The legislature further finds that the conduct of members of the dental profession licensed to practice dentistry in this state plays a vital role in preserving the health…

See chapter 18.120 RCW.

Words used in the singular in this chapter may also be applied to the plural of the persons and things; words importing the plural may be applied to the singular; words importing the masculine gender may be extended to females also; the term "commission" used in this chapter shal…

A person practices dentistry, within the meaning of this chapter, who (1) represents himself or herself as being able to diagnose, treat, remove stains and concretions from teeth, operate or prescribe for any disease, pain, injury, deficiency, deformity, or physical condition of …

The following practices, acts, and operations are excepted from the operation of the provisions of this chapter:(1) The rendering of dental relief in emergency cases in the practice of his or her profession by a physician or surgeon, licensed as such and registered under the laws…

The Washington state dental quality assurance commission is established, consisting of 21 members each appointed by the governor to a four-year term. No member may serve more than two consecutive full terms. Members of the commission hold office until their successors are appoint…

The governor may remove a member of the commission for neglect of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance or misfeasance in office. Whenever the governor is satisfied that a member of the commission has been guilty of neglect of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance or misfeasance in office,…

Members must be residents of this state. Dentist members must be licensed dentists in the active practice of dentistry for a period of five years before appointment. Of the twelve dentists appointed to the commission, at least four must reside and engage in the active practice of…

The commission shall elect officers each year. Meetings of the commission are open to the public, except the commission may hold executive sessions to the extent permitted by chapter 42.30 RCW. The secretary of health shall furnish such secretarial, clerical, and other assistance…

The commission is the successor in interest of the board of dental examiners and the dental disciplinary board. All contracts, undertakings, agreements, rules, regulations, and policies continue in full force and effect on July 1, 1994, unless otherwise repealed or rejected by ch…

Each member of the commission shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.265. Members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the actual performance of their duties, as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Commission members shall be compensated and reimbur…

The commission may contract with competent persons on a temporary basis to assist in developing or administering examinations for licensure.The commission may enter into compacts and agreements with other states and with organizations formed by several states, for the purpose of …

The commission may adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW to implement this chapter and chapter 18.130 RCW.[ 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 210.]

The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licenses, and the discipline of licensees under this chapter.[ 1987 c 150 s 17; 1986 c 259 s 34.]Notes:Severability—1987 c 150: See RCW 18.122.901.Severability—1986 c 259: Se…

The commission shall require that every applicant for a license to practice dentistry shall:(1) Present satisfactory evidence of graduation from a dental college, school, or dental department of an institution approved by the commission;(2) Submit, for the files of the commission…

Commission members shall be compensated and reimbursed pursuant to this section for their activities in administering a multistate licensing examination pursuant to the commission's compact or agreement with another state or states or with organizations formed by several states.[…

No person, unless previously licensed to practice dentistry in this state, shall begin the practice of dentistry in this state without first applying to, and obtaining a license.[ 2017 c 320 s 5; 1987 c 150 s 18.]Notes:Finding—Intent—2017 c 320: See note following RCW 18.32.677.S…

The applicant for a dentistry license shall file an application on a form furnished by the secretary, stating the applicant's name, age, place of residence, the name of the school or schools attended by the applicant, the period of such attendance, the date of the applicant's gra…

Each applicant shall pay a fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.[ 1996 c 191 s 14; 1991 c 3 s 63; 1989 c 202 s 19; 1985 c 7 s 23; 1975 1st ex.s. c 30 s 27; 1969 c 49 s 1; 1957 c 52 s 29. Prior: 1941 c 92 s 2, part; 1935 c 112 s 4; Rem. Supp. …

All licenses issued by the secretary on behalf of the commission shall be signed by the secretary or chairperson and secretary of the commission.[ 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 215; 1991 c 3 s 65; 1989 c 202 s 21; 1951 c 130 s 3; 1935 c 112 s 17; RRS s 10031-17.]

A fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280 shall be charged for every duplicate license issued by the secretary.[ 1996 c 191 s 15; 1991 c 3 s 66; 1985 c 7 s 25; 1975 1st ex.s. c 30 s 29; 1957 c 52 s 25. Prior: 1935 c 112 s 11, part; RRS s 10031-1…

Every person licensed to practice dentistry in this state shall renew his or her license and comply with administrative procedures, administrative requirements, continuing education requirements, and fees as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. The commission, in its sole dis…

The commission may adopt rules under this section authorizing an inactive license status.(1) An individual licensed under chapter 18.32 RCW may place his or her license on inactive status. The holder of an inactive license must not practice dentistry in this state without first a…

Every person who engages in the practice of dentistry in this state shall cause his or her license to be, at all times, displayed in a conspicuous place, in his or her office wherein he or she shall practice such profession, and shall further, whenever requested, exhibit such lic…

The commission may, without examination, issue a license to persons who possess the qualifications set forth in this section.(1) The commission may, upon written request of the dean of the school of dentistry of any institution of higher education in Washington state accredited b…

(1) An applicant holding a valid license and currently engaged in practice in another state may be granted a license without examination required by this chapter, on the payment of any required fees, if the applicant:(a) Is a graduate of a dental college, school, or dental depart…

Anyone who is a licensed dentist in the state of Washington who desires to change residence to another state or territory, shall, upon application to the secretary and payment of a fee as determined by the secretary under RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280, receive a certificate over th…

By November 15, 2009, the commission shall report to the governor and the legislature with recommendations for appropriate standards for issuing a license to a foreign-trained dentist. The recommendations shall consider the balance between maintaining assurances that Washington's…

(1) For low-income, rural, and other at-risk populations and in coordination with local public health jurisdictions and local oral health coalitions, a dental assistant working as of April 19, 2001, under the supervision of a licensed dentist may apply sealants and fluoride varni…

Any person who violates any of the provisions of the chapter for which no specific penalty has been provided herein, shall be subject to prosecution before any court of competent jurisdiction, and shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.[ 1986 c 259 s 38; 1935 c …

In addition to those acts defined in chapter 18.130 RCW, the term "unprofessional conduct" as used in RCW 18.32.530 through 18.32.755 includes gross, willful, or continued overcharging for professional services.[ 1989 c 202 s 26; 1986 c 259 s 41; 1977 ex.s. c 5 s 3.]Notes:Savings…

It is unprofessional conduct under this chapter and chapter 18.130 RCW for a dentist to abrogate the copayment provisions of a contract by accepting the payment received from a third party payer as full payment.[ 1985 c 202 s 1.]

(1) To implement a dentist health program as authorized by RCW 18.130.175, the commission shall enter into a contract with a physician health program or a voluntary substance use disorder monitoring program. The dentist health program may include any or all of the following:(a) C…

(1) The commission may adopt such rules as it deems necessary to carry out this chapter.(2) The commission may adopt rules governing administration of sedation and general anesthesia by persons licensed under this chapter, including necessary training, education, equipment, and t…

The commission shall:(1) Require licensed dentists to keep and maintain a copy of each laboratory referral instruction, describing detailed services rendered, for a period to be determined by the commission but not more than three years, and may require the production of all such…

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to publish, directly or indirectly, or circulate any fraudulent, false, or misleading statements within the state of Washington as to the skill or method of practice of any person or operator; or in any way to advertise in…

(1) No corporation shall practice dentistry or shall solicit through itself, or its agent, officers, employees, directors or trustees, dental patronage for any dentists or dental surgeon employed by any corporation: PROVIDED, That nothing contained in this chapter shall prohibit …

(1) A person that is not licensed under this chapter or an entity that is not a professional entity practices dentistry in violation of this chapter, and subject to enforcement under RCW 18.130.190, if the person or entity interferes with a licensed dentist's independent clinical…

(1) The attending dentist, without reasonable cause, must 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:(a) Advise the patient that termination …

Registered pharmacists of this state may fill prescriptions of legally licensed dentists of this state for any drug necessary in the practice of dentistry.[ 1935 c 112 s 26; RRS s 10031-26. Prior: 1923 c 16 s 24. Formerly RCW 18.32.320.]Notes:Pharmacists: Chapter 18.64 RCW.

Every complete upper and lower denture and removable dental prosthesis fabricated by a dentist licensed under this chapter, or fabricated pursuant to the dentist's work order or under the dentist's direction or supervision, shall be marked with the name of the patient for whom th…

Any removable prosthesis in existence before July 26, 1987, that was not marked in accordance with RCW 18.32.695 at the time of its fabrication, shall be so marked at the time of any subsequent rebasing.[ 1987 c 252 s 2. Formerly RCW 18.32.324.]Notes:Severability—1987 c 252: See …

Failure of any dentist to comply with RCW 18.32.695 and 18.32.705 is a violation for which the dentist may be subject to proceedings if the dentist is charged with the violation within two years of initial insertion of the dental prosthetic device.[ 1987 c 252 s 4. Formerly RCW 1…

It shall be the duty of every person engaged in the practice of dentistry or who shall own, operate, or manage any dental office to keep said office and dental equipment in a thoroughly clean and sanitary condition.[ 1935 c 112 s 27; RRS s 10031-27. Prior: 1923 c 16 s 25. Formerl…

Any licensed dentist who shall permit any dental hygienist operating under his or her supervision to perform any operation required to be performed by a dentist under the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.[ 2011 c 336 s 478; 1935 c 112 s 28; RRS s 10031-…

(1) No manager, proprietor, partnership, or association owning, operating, or controlling any room, office, or dental parlors, where dental work is done, provided, or contracted for, shall employ or retain any unlicensed person or dentist as an operator; nor shall fail, within te…

(1) Any advertisement or announcement for dental services must include for each office location advertised the names of all persons practicing dentistry at that office location.(2) Any violation of this section is improper, unprofessional, and dishonorable conduct, and grounds fo…

(1) The commission may conduct a pilot project to evaluate the effect of granting the commission additional authority over budget development, spending, and staffing. If the commission intends to conduct a pilot project, it must provide a notice in writing to the secretary by Jun…

(1) In any disciplinary case pertaining to a dentist where there is a contested hearing, if the commission or its hearing panel makes the finding requisite for, and imposes upon the dentist, a disciplinary sanction or fine under RCW 18.130.160, unless it determines to waive the a…

(1) By June 30, 2011, the commission shall adopt new rules on chronic, noncancer pain management that contain the following elements:(a)(i) Dosing criteria, including:(A) A dosage amount that must not be exceeded unless a dentist first consults with a practitioner specializing in…