WSR 23-19-088
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
(Board of Denturists)
[Filed September 20, 2023, 8:47 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 22-05-084.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Denturist rules regarding prefabricated implant abutments and infection control standards.
The board of denturists (board) is proposing new WAC 246-812-462 Prefabricated implant abutments, to set out the requirements for the placement of prefabricated implant abutments. The board is also proposing amending the infection control standards purpose statement in WAC 246-812-50 [246-812-501] to ensure written policies and procedures are maintained.
Hearing Location(s): On October 25, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., at the Department of Health, Town Center 2, Room 145, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501; or participants can attend by webinar. You must register in advance for this webinar https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/39c2347f-767d-44a8-813d-0771e6a4eb14@11d0e217-264e-400a-8ba0-57dcc127d72d. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Date of Intended Adoption: October 25, 2023.
Submit Written Comments to: Vicki Brown, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax 360-236-2901, by October 18, 2023.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Vicki Brown, phone 360-236-4865, fax 360-236-4902, TTY 711, email vicki.brown@doh.gov, by October 18, 2023.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The board is proposing amendments to WAC 246-812-501 to ensure that a licensed denturist develop and maintain written infection control policies, procedures, and requirements for infection prevention and control that are appropriate for the denturist services provided by the facility.
The board is proposing new WAC 246-812-462 regarding the use and placement of prefabricated implant abutments to set out the requirements that are to be followed in order for a licensed denturist to place an abutment on an implant for the purpose of fabricating, repairing, relining, or rebasing a denture.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: WAC 246-812-501 currently does not require a licensed denturist to have written policies, procedures, and requirements for infection prevention and control in denturist offices to protect the health and well-being of the people of the state of Washington. During an infection control investigation, written policies and procedures are necessary for the investigator to review to ensure the denturist has a plan for complying with the infection prevention and control in their facility.
The board determined that the placement of an abutment would fall under RCW
18.30.010 (5)(a) as this is considered to be part of the making, placing, constructing, altering, reproducing, or repairing of a denture. WAC 246-812-462 sets out the process and requirements that must be followed prior to a licensed denturist placing an abutment on an implant for the purpose of fabricating, repairing, or rebasing a denture.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Board of denturists, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Vicki Brown, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4865.
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 Vicki Brown, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4865, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email v
icki.brown@doh.wa.gov.
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Explanation of exemptions: The proposed rules establish requirements for licensed denturists to obtain and maintain their credentials.
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
September 14, 2023
Trina Crawford
Executive Director
Board of Denturists
OTS-4569.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-812-462Prefabricated implant abutments.
A licensed denturist, prior to placing an abutment on an implant for the purpose of fabricating, repairing, relining, or rebasing a denture, must have documented proof that a licensed dentist has examined the patient clinically. The documented proof from the licensed dentist must include a report that the implant is sufficiently osseointegrated, the surrounding soft tissues are stable and healthy, and provide a documented diagnosis that the implant is ready to restore. The abutment seat shall be verified by radiographic assessment by a licensed dentist prior to delivery of the denture.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-20-068, filed 10/2/98, effective 11/2/98)
WAC 246-812-501Purpose.
The purpose of WAC 246-812-501 through 246-812-520 is to establish that a licensed denturist must have written policies, procedures, and requirements for infection prevention and control in denturist offices to protect the health and well-being of the people of the state of Washington. For purposes of infection control, all denturist staff members and all patients shall be considered potential carriers of communicable diseases. Infection control procedures are required to prevent disease transmission from patient to denturist and staff, denturist and staff to patient, and from patient to patient. Every denturist is required to comply with the applicable standard of care in effect at the time of treatment. At a minimum, the denturist must comply with the requirements defined in WAC 246-812-520.