S-1001.1          _______________________________________________

                                 SENATE BILL 5634

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

By Senators Cantu, Bailey and A. Smith.

Read first time February 12, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.

Requiring that dentists' offices comply with requirements for sterilization of equipment and infection control.

     AN ACT Relating to sterilization and infection control in dentists' offices; amending RCW 18.32.725; and adding a new section to chapter 18.32 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

     Sec. 1.  RCW 18.32.725 and 1935 c 112 s 27 are each amended to read as follows:

     It shall be the duty of every person engaged in the practice of dentistry or who shall own, operate, or manage any dental office to keep said office and dental equipment in a thoroughly clean and sanitary condition and to fulfill the requirements for sterilization of equipment and infection control adopted by the board under section 2 of this act.  Failure to comply with the duty established under this section is unprofessional conduct.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 18.32 RCW to read as follows:

     The dental disciplinary board shall adopt rules establishing minimum requirements for sterilization of equipment and infection control in dentists' offices.  In adopting the rules, the dental disciplinary board shall consider standards established by national health associations for sterilization of equipment and infection control, including standards adopted for surgical procedures.