Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: Amendment of WAC 246-817-440 Continuing education requirements. The amendment will increase the maximum number of continuing dental education hours allowed for home study from three hours to seven hours per year. Home study includes educational audio or videotapes, films, slides, internet or independent reading, where an assessment tool is required upon completion.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-817-440.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.32.002 and 18.32.0365.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 05-23-097 on November 17, 2005.

     A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Lisa Anderson, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47867, Olympia, WA 98504-7867, phone (360) 236-4863, fax (360) 664-9077, e-mail lisa.anderson@doh.wa.gov.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: February 3, 2006.

Russell B. Timms, DDS, Chair

Dental Quality Assurance Commission

OTS-7915.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 01-16-007, filed 7/19/01, effective 8/19/01)

WAC 246-817-440   Continuing education requirements.   (1) Purpose. The dental quality assurance commission (DQAC) has determined that the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the state will be served by requiring all dentists, licensed under chapter 18.32 RCW, to continue their professional development via continuing education after receiving such licenses.

     (2) Effective date. The effective date for the continuing education requirement for dentists is July 1, 2001. The first reporting cycle for verifying completion of continuing education hours will begin with renewals due July 1, 2002, and each renewal date thereafter. Every licensed dentist ((will be required to)) must sign an affidavit attesting to the completion of the required number of hours as a part of their annual renewal requirement.

     (3) Requirements. Licensed dentists must complete twenty-one clock hours of continuing education, each year, in conjunction with their annual renewal date. DQAC may randomly audit up to twenty-five percent of practitioners for compliance after the credential is renewed as allowed by chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7.

     (4) Acceptable continuing education - Qualification of courses for continuing education credit. DQAC will not authorize or approve specific continuing education courses. Continuing education course work must contribute to the professional knowledge and development of the practitioner, or enhance services provided to patients.

     For the purposes of this chapter, acceptable continuing education ((shall be defined as)) means courses offered or authorized by industry recognized state, private, national and international organizations, agencies or institutions of higher learning. Examples of sponsors, or types of continuing education courses may include, but are not limited to:

     (a) The American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, National Dental Association, American Dental Hygienists' Association, National Dental Hygienists' Association, American Dental Association specialty organizations, including the constituent and component/branch societies.

     (b) Basic first aid, CPR, BLS, ACLS, OSHA/WISHA, or emergency related training; such as courses offered or authorized by the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society; or any other organizations or agencies.

     (c) Educational audio or videotapes, films, slides, internet, or independent reading, where an assessment tool is required upon completion are acceptable but may not exceed ((three)) seven hours per year.

     (d) Teaching a seminar or clinical course for the first time is acceptable but may not exceed ten hours per year.

     (e) Nonclinical courses relating to dental practice organization and management, patient management, or methods of health delivery may not exceed seven hours per year. Estate planning, financial planning, investments, and personal health courses are not acceptable.

     (f) Dental examination standardization and calibration workshops.

     (g) Provision of clinical dental services in a formal volunteer capacity may be considered for continuing education credits when preceded by an educational/instructional training prior to provision of services. Continuing education credits in this area shall not exceed seven hours per renewal cycle.

     (5) Refer to chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7, administrative procedures and requirements for credentialed health care providers for further information regarding compliance with the continuing education requirements for health care providers ((including:

     (a) When is continuing education required?

     (b) How to prove compliance.

     (c) Auditing for compliance.

     (d) What is acceptable audit documentation?

     (e) When is a practitioner exempt from continuing education?

     (f) How credit hours for continuing education courses are determined.

     (g) Carrying over continuing education credits.

     (h) Taking the same course more than once during a reporting cycle)).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.0365. 01-16-007, § 246-817-440, filed 7/19/01, effective 8/19/01.]

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