News Items

DQAC Educational Outreach Committee Meeting - March 11

DQAC will hold an Educational Outreach Committee webinar meeting on Monday, March 11.

DQAC Jurisprudence Examination Committee Meeting - March 15

DQAC will hold a Jurisprudence Examination Committee webinar meeting on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 1:00 PM.

DQAC Dental Collaboration Committee Meeting - March 22

DQAC will hold a Dental Collaboration Committee meeting on March 22 to consider adoption of proposed changes to WAC 246-817-550 Acts that may be performed by licensed dental hygienists under general supervision.

Reminder: DQAC Member Applications Due March 30

The Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) is accepting applications to fill vacancies for one dentist and one public member position. Applications are due by March 30.

DQAC Dental Infection Control Committee Meeting - March 29

DQAC will hold a Dental Infection Control Committee webinar/conference call meeting to discuss proposed changes to dental infection control rules on Friday, March 29.

DQAC Meetings - April 18 & 19

DQAC will hold a Dental Anesthesia Committee meeting on Thursday, April 18, a business meeting on April 19, and a Dental Continuing Competency Committee meeting on April 19.

Updated Proposed Rule Amendments for Delegation of Duties to Hygienists

DQAC is proposing rule amendments that update the listing of allowable duties a dentist may delegate to a licensed dental hygienist under general supervision.

Changes to Paid Family and Medical Leave

Earlier this month, Governor Jay Inslee signed SHB 1399, concerning Paid Family and Medical Leave, into law. The bill provides several technical corrections to the original law.

Saturday, April 27 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, held this Saturday, April 27, aims to provide a way to dispose of prescription drugs in a safe, responsible, and convenient way.

DQAC to Accept 2018 CE Following WSDA Request

DQAC will now accept CE earned after a dentist’s birthday in 2018 through December 31, 2018 to count toward the new three-year reporting period that ends in 2022.

Reminder: CE Changes Take Effect Jan. 1

Major changes to Washington’s dental continuing education requirements take effect on January 1, 2019.

Regulations Taking Effect Jan. 1, 2019

Learn more about new CE rules, Paid Family and Medical Leave Program requirements, and a minimum wage increase—all effective January 1, 2019.

Opioid Prescribing Rules for Dentists

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission recently adopted a series of changes and new sections to existing rules that establish requirements and standards for prescribing opioids. The adopted rules go into effect January 26, 2019.

WSDA Citizen of the Year Nominations

Do you know a member dentist doing incredible charitable work in their community? Nominate them for WSDA Citizen of the Year!

Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Review Committee Nominations

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) requests nominations to fill vacancies on Review Committees. Nominations are due by June 1.

Next Level Speaker Series Voting

Washington's Next Level Speaker Series, launching at PNDC 2019, gives past New and Emerging Speaker Series (formerly Emerald City Lecture Series) speakers the chance to take the next step in their speaking careers! Vote for your favorites by May 1.

Free ADA Webinar: Analgesic Prescribing in the Opioid Overdose Epidemic

The ADA is hosting a May 8 webinar on the opioid overdose epidemic to help dentists learn how to deal with the root causes of the epidemic.

Apple Health Provider Alert: Billing Multiple Units of Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia

Be an Expert Witness for DQAC

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) is looking for dentists to serve as contracted expert witnesses.

Bill Raising Legal Age to Purchase Tobacco Signed Into Law

Last week, Governor Jay Inslee signed Engrossed House Bill (EHB) 1074, “Tobacco 21,” into law, raising the legal age to purchase tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21.