Laws

The RCW and WAC That Directly Relate To:

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

• Dentistry: chapter 18.32 RCW
• Dental professionals: chapter 18.260 RCW
• Dental anesthesia assistants: chapter 18.350 RCW
• Dental hygienists: chapter 18.29 RCW

Dental Quality Assurance Commission Interpretive Statement

• Dentist Standard of Care – Radiographs (PDF)
• Dentist–Sleep Dentistry (PDF)

Dental Quality Assurance Commission Guidelines

• Appropriate Use of Teledentistry (PDF)

Washington Administrative Code

Dental Quality Assurance Commission

• Chapter 246-817 WAC

Dentist Supervision Requirements

• Dentist Delegation Chart (PDF)

Dental assistant required supervision and allowable/prohibited tasks

• WAC 246-817-510
• WAC 246-817-520
• WAC 246-817-540

Expanded function dental auxiliary required supervision and allowable/prohibited tasks

• WAC 246-817-510
• WAC 246-817-525
• WAC 246-817-545

Dental hygienists

• Chapter 246-815 WAC

Dental hygienist required supervision and allowable/prohibited tasks

• WAC 246-817-510
• WAC 246-817-550
• WAC 246-817-560
• WAC 246-817-570

Rules recently changed are on our What's Happening webpage.

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

A statute or Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is written by the Washington State Legislature. Once legislation is signed by the governor, it becomes law.

The website for RCWs is a searchable database online. You may also access the state government website. If you're interested in obtaining a copy of any RCW, contact your local public library.

Other Relevant RCWs Are:

• Chapter 19.68 RCW - Rebating By Practitioners of Healing Professions
• Chapter 18.130 RCW - Regulation of Health Professions – Uniform Disciplinary Act
• RCW 26.44.030 - Abuse of Children and Adult Dependent Persons
• Chapter 34.05 RCW - Administrative Procedures Act
• Chapter 42.56 RCW - Public Records Act
• Chapter 70.02 RCW - Medical Records-Health Care Information Access and Disclosure
• RCW 70.225.020 - Prescription Monitoring Program
• Chapter 74.34 RCW - Abuse of Vulnerable Adults
• Chapter 71.05 RCW - Mental Illness

Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

A rule or Washington Administrative Code (WAC) is written to provide interpretive support for the individuals or entities to whom the rule applies. Department of Health rules are written and adopted by a board or commission, or the secretary of the Department of Health. Rules or WACs carry the full force of the law.

WACs are available on the state government website.

The WACs That Relate To:

• WAC 246-12 - Administrative Procedures and Requirements for Credentialed Health Care Providers
• WAC 246-15 - Whistleblower Complaints in Health Care Settings
• WAC 246-16 - Standards of professional conduct