PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Continuing education for dentists, rules will clarify requirements to implement 1999 legislation (HB 1699) which establishes continuing education requirements as a condition of dental licensure renewal. Scheduled implementation date of proposed rules, July 1, 2001.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.32.002, 18.32.0357, 18.32.180.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules are needed to establish requirements for dentists to obtain continuing dental education hours as a condition of dental licensure renewal. The intent of the legislation, sponsored by the Washington State Dental Association, was to establish a mechanism that would ensure that dentists keep up to date on new products, technologies, and procedures and practices in a rapidly changing health care field. The legislation is also intended to provide the public with assurances that their dental practitioner has met an ongoing educational requirement.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Not applicable.
Process for Developing New Rule: A collaborative rule-making process will be used.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. We anticipate using an open public forum process, mass mailings to all licensed dentists and other interested parties to solicit input on drafting these rules. We have also queried all other states for information on existing continuing education rules nationwide.
Interested Persons May Contact: Lisa R. Anderson, Program Manager, Dental Quality Assurance Commission, P.O. Box 47867, 1112 S.E. Quince Street, Olympia, WA 98504-7867.
August 4, 2000
Lisa Anderson
Program Manager
Carol Lewis
Acting Executive Director