WSR 15-15-144 PERMANENT RULES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH [Filed July 20, 2015, 9:09 a.m., effective August 20, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: WAC 246-815-020 and 246-815-140, dental hygienists, amending rules to reduce barriers to licensing, clarify application requirements and provide more flexibility when a dental hygienist is obtaining his or her continuing education.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-815-020 and 246-815-140.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.70.280 and 18.29.130(7).
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 15-08-026 on March 25, 2015.
A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Vicki Brown, Health Professions and Facilities Dental Hygiene Program, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone (360) 236-4865, fax (360) 236-2901, e-mail vicki.brown@doh.wa.gov.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: May 29, 2015.
Jessica Todorovich
Deputy Secretary
for John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH
Secretary
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 04-20-049, filed 10/1/04, effective 11/1/04)
WAC 246-815-020 Dental hygiene ((examination)) licensure—Initial eligibility and application requirements.
(((1) To be eligible to take the approved dental hygiene examination, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
(a) The applicant must have successfully completed a dental hygiene education program approved by the secretary of the department of health pursuant to WAC 246-815-030.
(b) Applicants must complete seven clock hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.
(c) The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of Washington law pertaining to the practice of dental hygiene including the administration of legend drugs.
(d) The applicant must complete the required application materials and pay the required fee.
(2) The application must include:
(a) The required examination fee.
(b) Either the national board IBM card reflecting a passing score or a notarized copy of the national board certificate.
(c) One photograph of the applicant taken within one year preceding the application.
(3) An official transcript or certificate of completion constitutes proof of successful completion from an approved dental hygiene education program. No other proof of successful completion is acceptable.)) (1) An applicant for a dental hygiene license shall submit to the department the following:
(a) An initial application on forms provided by the department;
(b) The fee required under WAC 246-815-990;
(c) Proof of successful completion of the Washington state dental hygiene drug and law exam; and
(d) Proof of completion of seven clock hours of HIV/AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.
(2) An applicant for a dental hygiene license shall also:
(a) Have official transcripts verifying successful completion of a dental hygiene education program approved by the secretary under WAC 246-815-030 sent directly from the dental hygiene program to the department. No other proof of successful completion is acceptable;
(b) Have verification of passing the National Board Dental Hygiene written examination. Results must be sent directly to the department from the American Dental Association Department of Testing Services; and
(c) Have verification of passing the examinations as required in WAC 246-815-050. Results must be sent directly to the department from the testing agency.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 98-05-060, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98)
WAC 246-815-140 Continuing education for dental hygienists.
(1) ((Purposes. The secretary of the department of health in consultation with the dental hygiene examining committee has determined that the public health, safety and welfare will be served by requiring all holders of dental hygiene licenses granted under chapter 18.29 RCW to continue their education after receiving such licenses.
(2) Requirements. Licensed dental hygienists must complete 15 clock hours of continuing education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7. A current CPR card must be maintained as part of this requirement.
(3) Acceptable continuing education. Continuing education must be dental related education for professional development as a dental hygienist. The 15 clock hours shall be obtained through continuing education courses, correspondence courses, college credit courses, dental hygiene examination standardization/calibration workshops and dental hygiene examination item writer workshops.)) To renew a license a dental hygienist must:
(a) Complete fifteen clock hours of continuing education each year following the first license renewal;
(b) Maintain a current basic life support (BLS) card for health care providers; and
(c) Sign a declaration attesting to the completion of the required number of hours as part of the annual renewal requirement.
(2) The department will not authorize or approve specific continuing education courses. Continuing education course work must contribute to the professional knowledge and development of the dental hygienist or enhance services provided to patients.
For the purposes of this chapter, acceptable continuing education means courses offered or authorized by industry recognized local, state, private, national and international organizations, agencies or institutions of higher learning. Examples of sponsors or types of continuing education courses may include, but are not limited to:
(a) The Washington State Dental Association, American Dental Association, National Dental Association, Washington State Dental Hygienists' Association, American Dental Hygienists' Association, National Dental Hygienists' Association, including the constituent and component/branch societies;
(b) Basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)/Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA), or emergency related training such as courses offered or authorized by the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society; or any other organizations or agencies;
(c) Self-study through study clubs, books, research materials, or other publications. The required documentation for this activity is a summary of what was learned, not to exceed five hours per year;
(d) Distance learning. Distance learning includes, but is not limited to: Correspondence course, webinar, audio/video broadcasting, audio/video teleconferencing, computer aided instruction, e-learning/online-learning, or computer broadcasting/webcasting that includes an assessment tool upon completion;
(e) A licensee who serves as an educator or who lectures in continuing education programs or courses, that contribute to the professional knowledge of a licensed dental hygienist may accumulate hours for the content preparation of the program or course, not to exceed ten hours per year;
(f) Attendance at a continuing education program with a featured speaker(s);
(g) Courses relating to practice organization and management, medical/dental insurance courses, or retirement, not to exceed five hours per year;
(h) Dental hygiene examination standardization/calibration workshops and dental hygiene examination item writer workshops, not to exceed ten hours per year;
(i) Provision of clinical dental hygiene services in a documented volunteer capacity when preceded by educational/instructional training prior to provision of services, not to exceed five hours per year. Volunteering must be without compensation and under appropriate supervision;
(j) A licensee who serves as a public health official or employee, contractor for a state or local health agency, community prevention education expert, or works in a field that relates to prevention activities in public health dentistry, may accumulate hours for the content preparation of providing services, education, or training to the underserved, rural, and at risk populations, not to exceed five hours per year; and
(k) College courses.
(3) The department may randomly audit up to twenty-five percent of practitioners for compliance with the requirements in this section after the credential is renewed as allowed by chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7.
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