Regulatory Update – April 2021
Rulemaking is currently in progress to amend the requirements for continuing education, dental examination content, and delegation of COVID-19 screenings. More information on the status of each rule can be found below.
Continuing Education CR-101
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) has filed a preproposal statement of inquiry (CR-101) to consider rule amendments to WAC 246-817-440, Dentist Continuing Education Requirements. This rulemaking is in response to a petition from November 2020 that requested the allowance of full credit for self-study online CE. The current rule allows dentists to receive thirty minutes for every one hour of self-study CE, including online courses. This includes self-study by various means, relevant to dentistry, without an instructor physically present, or self-study through online CE or by mail, administered by a CE provider.
DQAC’s Dental Continuing Competency Committee will hold future meetings to discuss potential rule amendments; the meeting dates have not yet been determined.
Examination Content CR-103
A permanent rule-making order CR-103 has been filed that will amend WAC 246-817-120, Examination Content, to add the Joint Commission on National Dental Examination Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE), a non-patient based examination, as an allowable practical/clinical examination. The rule amendment will also permit an applicant to pass components of the practical examination sections using a maximum of two testing agencies in coordination with one another. This permanent rule is an extension of the emergency rule currently in place.
COVID-19 Screening Delegation CR-102
DQAC has filed to propose a permanent rule to allow dentists to delegate COVID-19 screening tests to dental assistants, expanded function dental auxiliaries, and dental hygienists under the appropriate supervision and demonstration of competency. The permanent rule on delegation of COVID-19 screening tests is an extension of the emergency rule filed Dec. 30, 2020. DQAC will hold a rule hearing to consider final adoption of the rule on June 25, 2021. Should you have any comments regarding this rule, you may submit them to Jennifer Santiago at dental@doh.wa.gov by June 14, 2021.
