DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Dental Quality Assurance Commission)

[Filed January 25, 2021, 2:47 p.m.]

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 20-18-040.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-817-120 Examination content, the dental quality assurance commission is considering proposed rule amendments to add the Joint Commission on National Dental Examination's Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE) to the list of allowable practical/clinical examinations and allow an applicant to pass components of the practical examination using a maximum of two testing agencies administering all the practical examination sections in coordination with each other.

Hearing Location(s): On March 12, 2021, at 8:35 a.m.

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency, the dental quality assurance commission will not provide a physical location for this hearing to promote social distancing and the safety of the citizens of Washington state. A virtual public hearing, without [a] physical meeting space, will be held instead.

To access the meeting: Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Please register for dental quality assurance commission business meeting March 12, 2021, on March 12, 2021, 8:30 a.m. PST at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4445807509028701200.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Date of Intended Adoption: March 12, 2021.

Submit Written Comments to: Jennifer Santiago, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax 360-236-2901, dental@doh.wa.gov, by March 1, 2021.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennifer Santiago, phone 360-236-4893, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email jennifer.santiago@doh.wa.gov, dental@doh.wa.gov, by March 8, 2021.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The commission adopted emergency rule on December 8, 2020, as WSR 21-01-048 to:

The commission is proposing permanent amendments to:

Reasons Supporting Proposal: In response to novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), all regional, patient-based clinical dentist examinations were cancelled for 2020 in the United States. Prior to COVID-19, the commission was evaluating the new DLOSCE as it was being developed. The pandemic pushed the DLOSCE to publish the new clinical examination one year earlier than anticipated.

The commission received a request from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and other dental organizations to approve a new simulated-based clinical exam. The DLOSCE is a practical/clinical examination that is computer-based and does not use patients. Adding DLOSCE to the list of allowable practical/clinical examinations will allow graduates an additional examination option to obtain Washington state dentist licensure.

Regional examination testing agencies have developed simulated-based clinical dentist examinations to replace patient-based examinations. However, one or more of the testing agencies are unable to offer all required sections through simulated-based examination. Removing the requirement for all examination content sections to be passed with a single testing agency will provide additional options for new graduates to obtain clinical examinations for Washington state dentist licensure. The commission discovered there are regional testing agencies that do not provide all sections of the examination, this rule modification may assist applicants with future examination options. The commission determined that the two different testing agencies should be the maximum and they must coordinate with each other to allow the applicant to test with both agencies. Testing agencies build their examination sections as a whole but coordination of testing agencies allow for a more complete examination.


•	Add the joint commission's DLOSCE to the list of allowable practical/clinical examinations; and
•	Allow an applicant to pass components of the practical examination using one or more testing agencies, rather than only one agency.


•	Add the joint commission's DLOSCE to the list of allowable practical/clinical examinations; and
•	Allow an applicant the option to pass components of the practical examination using a maximum of two testing agencies administering all the practical examination sections in coordination with each other.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.32.002 and 18.32.0365.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.32.040.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: None.

Name of Proponent: Dental quality assurance commission, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Jennifer Santiago, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4893.

A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.

A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Jennifer Santiago, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-4893, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email jennifer.santiago@doh.wa.gov, dental@doh.wa.gov.

The proposed rule does not impose more-than-minor costs on businesses. Following is a summary of the agency's analysis showing how costs were calculated. A small business economic impact statement was not prepared. A significant cost analysis has been completed. Changes in this proposed rule do not increase costs to licensed dentists. Licensed dentists are not required to complete the added clinical/practical examination option. Additional clinical/practical examination options reduce licensure barriers for new graduates to obtain Washington state dentist licensure.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 19-15-094, filed 7/22/19, effective 8/22/19)

WAC 246-817-120Examination content.

(1) An applicant seeking dentist licensure in Washington by examination, must successfully pass a written and practical examination approved by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (commission).

The examination will consist of:

(a) A written examination. The Integrated National Board Dental Examination, Parts I and II of the National Board Dental Examination, or the Canadian National Dental Examining Board examination will be accepted, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.

(b) A practical examination containing at least the following sections:

(i) Restorative;

(ii) Endodontic;

(iii) Periodontal;

(iv) Prosthodontic; and

(v) Comprehensive treatment planning or diagnostic skills.

(2)(a) The commission accepts the following practical examinations provided the testing agency offers at least the sections listed in subsection (1)(b) of this section:

(i) The Western Regional Examining Board's (WREB) clinical examination;

(ii) The Central Regional Dental Testing Services (CRDTS) clinical examination;

(iii) The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) formally known as Northeast Regional Board (NERB) clinical examination;

(iv) The Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA) clinical examination;

(v) The Council of Interstate Testing Agency's (CITA) clinical examination;

(vi) U.S. state or territory with an individual state board clinical examination;

(vii) The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations dental licensure objective structured clinical examination (DLOSCE); or

(b) The commission will accept the complete National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) of Canada clinical examination as meeting its standards if the applicant is a graduate of an approved dental school defined in WAC 246-817-110 (2)(a).

(3) The applicant must pass all practical examination sections listed in subsection (1)(b) of this section ((of the practical examination)) with the following:

(a) The same testing agency; or

(b) A maximum of two testing agencies listed in subsection (2)(a) of this section administering all the practical examination sections in coordination with each other.

(4) The commission will only accept results of approved practical examinations taken within the preceding five years from the date of an application for licensure.

(5) The commission may, at its discretion, give or require an examination in any other subject under subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section, whether in written or practical form or both written and practical.