Background:

Dentists are licensed and disciplined by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC). In order to be licensed, a dentist must:

submit proof of graduation from a dental college, school, or dental department of an institution approved by the DQAC;
submit a recent picture; and
pass an examination.

A licensed dentist may perform a variety of services, including diagnosing, treating, removing stains or concentrations from the teeth; operating or prescribing for any oral disease, pain, injury, deficiency, deformity, or physical condition; and furnishing, supplying, constructing, reproducing, or repairing any prosthetic denture, bridge, appliance, or other structure to be worn in the human mouth.

A dental laboratory is a facility that manufactures dental care products. Products typically produced by dental laboratories include bridges, crowns, and dentures.

Summary of Bill:

All dental laboratories operating, doing business, or intending to operate or do business in Washington must register with the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC). A dental laboratory is considered to be doing business in Washington if its work products are prepared pursuant to a written authorization originating in Washington. A dental laboratory operating in a licensed dentist's office or in an educational institution is not required to register as long as the laboratory does not perform work outside the institution or office.

"Dental laboratory" is defined as a facility that engages in making, repairing, altering, or supplying artificial restorations, substitutions, appliances, or materials for the correction of disease, loss, deformity, malposition, dislocation, fracture, or injury to the jaws, teeth, lips, gums, cheeks, palate, or associated tissues or parts.

To be registered, a dental laboratory must pay an annual registration fee and submit an application to the DQAC that includes:

the name, mailing address, physical address (if different), phone number, and e-mail address of the laboratory;
the name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address of the responsible person or supervising licensed dentist;
a statement that the laboratory meets the infectious control requirements under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
an acknowledgement by the responsible person or supervising dentist that:
- the laboratory will provide material disclosure to the prescribing dentist that contains the manufacturer and brand name or United States Food and Drug Administration registration number of all patient contact materials contained in the prescribed restoration to include in the patient's record; and
- the responsible person or supervising dentist will disclose to the prescribing dentist the point of origin of the manufacture of the prescribed restoration. If the restoration was partially or entirely manufactured by a third-party provider, the point of origin disclosure must identify the portion manufactured by the third-party provider and the city, state, and country of the provider.

The DQAC must assign each registered dental laboratory a registration number, which much appear on all of the laboratory's invoices. The dentist must include the registration number on all work orders.

Beginning January 31, 2018, the applicant for registration must demonstrate that the applicant, or an employee who works at least 30 hours per week, either is certified in good standing as a dental technician by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology or has successfully completed at least 12 hours of continuing education in dental laboratory technology approved by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology during the 12 months prior to the application.

Beginning January 31, 2023, a laboratory that has not been owned and operated by the same individual since January 1, 1996, must document that it employs a certified dental technician in good standing with the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology who works at least at least 30 hours a week or that the laboratory is operated under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

Dental laboratories must renew their registrations every year before July 31 and are subject to disciplinary action for violations of registration requirements.