Requirements for Licensure.  Dentists are licensed and disciplined by the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (Commission).  The Commission requires an applicant for a license to practice dentistry submit the following:

• proof of graduation from a dental college, school, or dental department of an institution approved by the Commission;
• a recent picture; and
• proof practical dental exam passage.

An applicant may forego the examination requirement if they complete a general practice residency, pediatric residency, or advanced education in general dentistry residency program in Washington State accredited by the American Dental Association and the Commission.  The residency program must last at least one year and serve predominantly low-income patients.

University of Washington Dental School Faculty and Residents Licensure.  The Commission may, upon written request of the dean of the School of Dentistry of the University of Washington issue a one-year license to practice dentistry in Washington State to persons:

• licensed or otherwise authorized to practice dentistry in another state or country; and
• accepted employment by the School of Dentistry of the University of Washington as a teaching member of the faculty.

The Commission may, upon written request of the dean or the director of a postdoctoral dental residency program of the School of Dentistry of the University of Washington issue a limited license to:

• postdoctoral students in dental education;
• postdoctoral residents in dental education; or
• postdoctoral residents in a dental residency program approved by the Commission.

The limited licensure applies only to dental care provided in connection with the licensee's duties as a university postdoctoral dental student, or a postdoctoral resident.

After review by the Commission, the temporary or limited license may be renewed annually if the licensee continues employment, dental education, or dental residency.  The licensee may later apply for a permanent license to practice dentistry in Washington State, subject to examination and other requirements set by the Commission.

The Commission may, upon written request of the dean of the School of Dentistry of any institution of higher education in Washington State accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), issue a one-year license to newly employed faculty members who are licensed or otherwise authorized to practice dentistry in another state or country.  After review by the Commission, the temporary license may be renewed annually if the licensee continues to be employed as a faculty member of the School of Dentistry of any institution of higher education in Washington State accredited by CODA.
 
The Commission may, upon written request of the dean of the School of Dentistry of any institution of higher education in Washington State accredited by CODA, or written request of the director of a postdoctoral residency program, issue a limited license to postdoctoral students or residents in dental education or to postdoctoral residents in a dental residency program.

PRO: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences School of Dental Medicine is a very new school and they are accomplishing great strides in bringing more health care to the state of Washington. Washington is losing dentists through retirement, moving, etc. The School of Dental Medicine has been established to address the dentist needs of the state by training individuals from underserved or rural areas of our state to become dentists and return to those areas to provide needed care. Faculty members not licensed in Washington, are restricted from employment at the School of Medicine because of statutory language. The change in the proposed bill would allow the School of Dental Medicine to recruit qualified and talented dentists to become faculty members. But as we continue the process of establishing the school, we would request the language to reflect initial and full-time accreditation.