Rules in Progress - Dental Assistant

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

Faculty at school of dentistry 

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (commission) filed a CR102 Proposed Rule Making on November 7, 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).

The commission will hold a rule hearing on January 19, 2024, at 10 a.m. The hearing will be hybrid. Participants can attend either the physical location or virtual webinar. 

Register for virtual webinar

Physical location is: 

Department of Health
Town Center 2, Room 167
111 Israel Rd. S.E.
Tumwater, WA 98501 

Send comments on proposed rules in email to the Dental Commission by January 15, 2024.

Opioid prescribing exclusions

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.

Email comments on proposed rule to the commission.

WSR 23-22-030 (PDF)

More agency rule resources