PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Creating a new chapter 246-225A WAC titled Radiation protection -- Dental x-ray standards. Changes to existing chapter 245-225 WAC may also be required for consistency with the new dental chapter.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.98.050(4) and 70.98.080.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Currently, chapter 246-225 WAC contains requirements for all professions using x-rays in the healing arts. This rule making will create a separate, user-friendly chapter for dentists (chapter 246-225A WAC). We are proposing to add film processor quality assurance requirements as a mechanism to reduce patient exposure while retaining or improving the diagnostic quality of the dental radiograph. Other states (Illinois, New Jersey and Minnesota) include this issue in their regulations. We will also make the regulations outcome-based as appropriate. Subsequent rule makings will create new chapters for other professions that use x-ray.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: There are no other agencies in this state that regulate x-ray.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making. Dental x-ray registrants, members of the Washington state dental association, x-ray stakeholders, and interested parties will be invited to participate in an ad hoc workgroup for comments and discussion on the rule draft.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ellen Haars, X-ray Program Manager, at (360) 236-3237.
March 7, 2006
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary