We want to remind you of several upcoming continuing education requirements for dentists.

New Telehealth Training Requirement: Free Training Available

Earlier this year, the Legislature expanded on prior telemedicine legislation to mandate that, beginning Jan. 1, 2021, all health care providers performing telemedicine complete a telemedicine training.

The Department of Health encourages providers who offer telemedicine services to take the required training as soon as possible, and no later than June 30, 2021. The purpose of this new requirement is to ensure health care providers are knowledgeable of telemedicine definitions, regulations, and best practices.

Washington state health care professionals who offer telemedicine services may complete a free training from the Washington State Telehealth Collaborative or an alternate training, which can include courses offered by hospitals and health care facilities, continuing education courses, or courses developed by a health professional board or commission.

Free Telehealth Training
Providers of telemedicine services must attest to having completed a telemedicine training.

Learn more about this requirement here.

Additional Upcoming CE Requirements

Suicide Prevention CE

Licensed Washington dentists must complete a one-time training for suicide assessment that includes screening, referral, and imminent harm via lethal means elements. The training must be at least three hours long.

Dentists must complete the training from an approved provider by the end of the full continuing education reporting period ending on the licensee’s annual license renewal date in 2022.

WSDA will offer suicide prevention CE to meet this requirement at PNDC 2021.

Opioid Prescribing CE

Licensed Washington dentists who prescribe opioids must complete a one-time CE requirement regarding best practices in the prescribing of opioids and DQAC’s opioid prescribing rules. The CE must be at least three hours long.

Prescribers must complete the required hours by the end of the full continuing education reporting period ending on the licensee’s annual license renewal date in 2022.

WSDA will offer opioid prescribing CE to meet this requirement at PNDC 2021.