The rules writing process is open to the public. The public is welcome to take part in helping us write rules. Rules are also known as regulations, Washington Administrative Code, or WAC. The rule-making process includes public notices and workshops, and usually a public hearing before a rule becomes final.
To get updates about rule making and other topics related to dental professionals, subscribe for updates at the bottom of the page.
Rules recently changed are on our What's Happening webpage.
Current Rules in Progress
- Dental anesthesia rules
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WAC 246-817-701 through 790 updated July 2023 (PDF)
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission is considering amendments to update general requirements for the administration of anesthetic agents for dental procedures. In addition to general updates, the commission is also considering amendments to address 24 hour on-call availability after a complex dental procedure, on-site inspections for all dentists holding sedation permits, and creation of a pediatric sedation endorsement.
The commission held a rule hearing on September 8, 2023, at 10 a.m. The commission voted unanimously to adopt the rule as written in WSR 23-16-108. A GovDelivery notice will be sent when the adopted rule is filed with the Office of the Code Reviser.
Please email written comments to dental@doh.wa.gov. - Dental provider health equity continuing education requirements
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The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (commission) is considering amending WAC 246-817-440 (Dental continuing education requirements) and WAC 246-817-445 (Dental anesthesia assistant continuing education requirements) to adopt the health equity continuing education (CE) model rules, WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830, to comply with RCW 43.70.613. The commission will also consider whether additional CE hours and course topics should be included.
By January 1, 2024, RCW 43.70.613(1) requires each health profession credentialed under RCW 18.130.040 with a CE requirement to adopt rules requiring completion of health equity CE training at least once every four years.
The goal of health equity CE training is to ensure that health care professionals complete health equity training and that the content of the health equity trainings include instruction on skills to address structural factors, such as bias, racism, and poverty, which manifest as health inequities. The objective of requiring health equity training is to enable health care professionals to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities, varying race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, religion, age, ability, socioeconomic status, and other categories of identity.
The commission held a rule hearing on October 27, 2023, at 10 a.m. The commission voted unanimously to adopt the rule as written in WSR 23-19-091. A GovDelivery notice will be sent when the adopted rule is filed with the Office of the Code Reviser.
- Faculty at school of dentistry
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The Dental Quality Assurance Commission filed a CR101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry as WSR #23-16-100 on July 31, 2023, for WAC 246-817-150 Licenses-Persons licensed or qualified out-of-state who are faculty at school of dentistry- Conditions. The commission authorized rulemaking to align WAC 246-817-150 with SB 5113 amending RCW 18.32.195.
The commission is considering removing specific references about granting licenses to University of Washington faculty and replacing this with a reference to a faculty of any institution of higher education in Washington state accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Send comments on proposed rules in email to the Dental Commission.
- Opioid prescribing exclusions
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The Dental Quality Assurance Commission filed a CR101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry as WSR 23-22-030 on October 20, 2023, for WAC 246-817-905 Exclusions. The commission is considering adding residential habilitation centers, nursing homes, and long-term hospitals to the list of opioid prescribing exclusions for dentists.