As a reminder, the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) has approved proposed dental infection control rules to move forward to the next stage of rulemaking. The commission evaluated the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings and the 2016 Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings. The proposed rule amendments incorporate many of the CDC recommendations. 

The WSDA continues to raise several concerns regarding the proposed rules with the Commission. As drafted, the proposed rules add several new requirements for dentists including:

• the sterilization of slow-speed hand piece motors
• periodic testing of water delivery systems
• bagging or wrapping contaminated instruments in preparation for sterilization
• additional infection prevention training for dentists and dental staff

View Proposed Rules
View DQAC’s Summary of Changes & FAQs
The rule hearing, where the commission will consider adoption of the proposed rules, is planned to take place in March 2020.

Should you have concerns with the proposed dental infection control rules, WSDA strongly encourages you to submit your comments to DQAC. Comments can be sent via email to jennifer.santiago@doh.wa.gov.