The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) previously finalized dental infection control rules in December 2020, and the majority of these rules became effective January 2021. The rules apply to settings wherever dentistry is provided in Washington and include several requirements that dentists must comply with. Infection control requirements include the sterilization of slow-speed hand piece motors, waterline testing, and infection prevention standards continuing education, among other things. An overview of the dental infection control requirements can be found below, and more information can be found on the WSDA Infection Control page.

Overview of Dental Infection Control Requirements

• Dentists must develop and maintain written infection prevention policies and procedures and review these policies and procedures annually with staff.
• Practitioners must complete one hour of current infection prevention standards continuing education each year. Click here to access a free pre-recorded webinar for WSDA members.
• Practitioners must comply with the requirements of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, RCW 49.17.
• Practitioners must perform hand hygiene when hands are visibly soiled, before and after treating each patient, or when touching certain objects barehanded when the objects are likely to be contaminated by blood, saliva, or respiratory secretions.
• Practitioners must wear gloves, mouth, nose, and eye protection in accordance with WAC 246-817-640.
• Practitioners must comply with Washington state rules related to occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• Practitioners must follow sharps safety and safe injection requirements provided in WAC 246-817-650.
• Practitioners must comply with certain sterilization and disinfection techniques, depending on whether dental equipment is considered critical, semicritical, or noncritical status.
• Dentists must perform periodic water line testing, in compliance with WAC 246-817-660.

Questions?

For more information, please visit the WSDA Infection Control page and review the dental infection control rules.