Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: The rule establishes the level of dental supervision required when a dental hygienist places antimicrobials. 2003 legislation amended the dental hygiene law, chapter 18.29 RCW, to allow placement of antimicrobials by dental hygienists. This rule amends WAC 246-817-560 under the Dental Practice Act to include placement of antimicrobials in the list of acts that may be performed by a dental hygienist under close supervision by a dentist.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-817-560.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.32.0365.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 06-07-093 on March 15, 2006.

     A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Lisa Anderson, Program Manager, DQAC, P.O. Box 47867, Olympia, WA 98504-7867, phone (360) 236-4863, fax (360) 664-9077, e-mail lisa.anderson@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     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: May 18, 2006.

Russell B. Timms, DDS, Chair

Dental Quality Assurance Commission

OTS-8517.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 95-21-041, filed 10/10/95, effective 11/10/95)

WAC 246-817-560   Acts that may be performed by licensed dental hygienists under close supervision.   In addition to the acts performed under WAC 246-817-520, a dentist may allow a dental hygienist licensed under the provisions of chapter 18.29 RCW to perform the following acts under the dentist's close supervision:

     (1) Perform soft-tissue curettage.

     (2) Give injections of a local anesthetic.

     (3) Place restorations into the cavity prepared by the dentist, and thereafter could carve, contour, and adjust contacts and occlusion of the restoration.

     (4) Administer nitrous oxide analgesia.

     (5) Place antimicrobials.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.035. 95-21-041, § 246-817-560, filed 10/10/95, effective 11/10/95.]

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