Mar 3, 2023
Secretary of Health Mask Order to End April 3
Effective April 3, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) will end the Secretary of Health Statewide Face Covering Order currently in effect for health care (including dental).
Regulations
Stay up to date on rules and requirements affecting Washington dentists.
Recent Regulatory News
Mar 2, 2023
Reminder: ASL Interpreter Provider Obligations
A dental office is considered to be a place of public accommodation and thus is prohibited from discriminating for any reason due to a disability. Accordingly, dental offices are required to provide an interpreter if one is needed to effectively communicate with a hearing-impaired patient.
Mar 2, 2023
Reminder: Dental Infection Control Requirements
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) previously finalized dental infection control rules in December 2020, and the majority of these rules became effective January 2021. The rules apply to settings wherever dentistry is provided in Washington and include several requirements that dentists must comply with.
Feb 28, 2023
DQAC Dental Inclusion Committee Meeting – March 29
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) has formed a Dental Inclusion Committee to begin rulemaking to comply with health equity education requirements. The Committee will meet on March 29.
Feb 24, 2023
DQAC Business Meeting – March 10
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting in a hybrid format on Friday, March 10 at 10:00 AM.
Feb 21, 2023
Employment Law Webinars from L&I
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has created a series of free webinars for both employers and employees, covering employment law topics including workers’ rights, job posting requirements, overtime rules, and the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act.
Feb 21, 2023
DQAC Dental Continuing Competency Committee Meeting – March 22
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Continuing Competency Committee meeting on March 22.
Feb 21, 2023
DQAC Dental Collaboration Committee Meeting – March 6
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Collaboration Committee meeting on March 6.
Feb 16, 2023
Proposed Dental Licensure Fee Increase – June 1
In order to address the annual operating shortfall of the Dental Quality Assurance Commission, the Department of Health is proposing to increase dental licensure fees, effective June 1, 2023.
Feb 6, 2023
Delay and Modification of the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program
Two pieces of legislation recently passed that delay and modify the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust (LTSS) program. Learn more about how the delay affects employers and employees, as well as new exemption circumstances for employees.
Jan 12, 2023
Board of Denturists Business Meeting – Jan. 27
The Board of Denturists will hold its next business meeting via webinar on Friday, Jan. 27 at 12:00 PM.
Jan 12, 2023
DQAC Business Meeting – Jan. 20
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next business meeting in a hybrid format on Friday, Jan. 20 at 10:00 AM.
Jan 11, 2023
DQAC Dental Educational Outreach Committee Meeting – Jan. 12
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next Dental Educational Outreach Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 12:00 PM.
Jan 3, 2023
Cancellation of Jan. 20 Dental Anesthesia Rule Hearing
DQAC has withdrawn the CR-102 for WAC chapters 246-817-701 through 246-817-790 for administration of anesthetic agents for dental procedures and cancelled the Jan. 20 rules hearing.
Jan 3, 2023
DQAC Dental Anesthesia Committee Meeting – Jan. 27
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a Dental Anesthesia Committee meeting on Friday, Jan. 27 at 1:00 PM.
Jan 3, 2023
Proposed Fee Update Public Rule Hearing – Jan. 24
The Department of Health filed a CR-102 proposing to update fees for several professions. The public rules hearing is scheduled for Jan. 24, 2023, at 9:00 AM.
Dec 19, 2022
Guidance on New Job Posting Requirements – Jan. 1
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, Washington employers with 15 or more employees must disclose a wage scale or salary range and a general description of benefits and other compensation on job postings that recruit Washington based employees, when the job posting includes qualifications for desired applicants.
Dec 19, 2022
Workers’ Compensation Premium Rate Increase – Jan. 1
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, workers’ compensation premium rates will increase.
Dec 15, 2022
Patient Record Retention Requirements
Make sure you are up to date on patient record retention requirements in Washington state, including for when closing or selling a dental practice.
Dec 13, 2022
DQAC Dental Educational Outreach Committee – Dec. 15
The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold its next Dental Educational Outreach Committee meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 12:00 PM.
DOH Dental Profession Pages
DQAC Interested Parties Email List
Get regulatory updates as they occur by subscribing to the DQAC interested parties email list.WSDA Committee on Regulatory Affairs
The Committee on Regulatory Affairs focuses on regulatory issues handled by DQAC and other government agencies handling regulatory issues relevant to dentistry.To inquire about joining the Committee on Regulatory Affairs, members may email WSDA at info@wsda.org.
