Dental Anesthesia

In recent years, the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) has been engaged in rulemaking to modify our state's dental anesthesia rules. These updates have now been finalized and will take effect as of January 11, 2024.

The revised rules introduce several new requirements for dentists and their auxiliary staff. Notably, dentists administering anesthesia to individuals under the age of 13 will need a pediatric sedation endorsement effective January 1, 2025. Additionally, vital signs must now be taken in most cases, including instances where only topical anesthetic is applied, and all offices administering anesthesia must have access to an AED.

WSDA has created a dental anesthesia landing page at wsda.org/anesthesia to help members familiarize themselves with the new rules. View general FAQs, key dates and downloadable FAQ documents segmented by anesthesia level.

*The requirement for obtaining pediatric sedation endorsement is effective January 1, 2025, while all other rule modifications will take effect January 11, 2024.

Annual Registration Fee Changes for X-ray Machine Facilities

Effective December 1, 2023, Washington State dentists will experience a rise in both annual radiation machine facility fees as well as dental radiation machine tube fees.

Why has this changed?

Similar to professional licensing, the x-ray program is self-sustaining, therefore the fees associated with the program go towards sustaining the program’s inspection and administrative costs. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has not raised x-ray machine and facility registration fees since 2010.

What has changed?

	Previous Fee Effective 2010	Fee Effective 12/1/2023
Radiation Machine Facility Fee	$107	$158
Radiation Machine Tube Fee	$27	$58

Health Equity Continuing Education

With the passing of Senate Bill in 2021, a new requirement mandates that all dentists complete two hours of health equity continuing education beginning January 1, 2024. WSDA advocated on behalf of our members to keep the renewal requirement in alignment with the current CE cycle of three years. This rule does not increase the total number of CE hours required for dental license renewal; however, Dental Anesthesia Assistants will now be required to complete the two hours of health equity training in addition to their current CE requirements, increasing the required amount of CE hours for Dental Anesthesia Assistants to 14 CE hours every three years.

A list of free and paid course offerings that meet the state requirements has been made available on the DOH website. Dentists may also meet the course requirement with the session Cultural Competency & The LGBTQIA+ Community at PNDC 2024.

Dental School Faculty Licensure

During the 2023 legislative session, WSDA supported a measure to expand the dental faculty licensure to apply to all CODA-accredited dental schools, such as the new Pacific Northwest University School of Dentistry. In alignment with the legislation, the proposed rule allows dental faculty licensure for all CODA-accredited dental schools in Washington.  

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) will hold a rule hearing on January 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM. The hearing will be hybrid, and participants can register here.

WPFML Premium Decrease

Starting January 1, 2024, the Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) premium rate will decrease from the current rate of 0.8% to 0.74%, with employers with more than 50 employees paying for 28.57% of the premium and employees paying 71.43%. Employers will need to withhold at the new PFML premium rate starting January 1, 2024, and first quarter premiums and reports under the new rate are due by the end of April 2024. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees are not required to pay the employer portion of the premium; however, they must still collect the employee portion or pay the employee premium on behalf of their workers. By law, Employment Security Department recalculates the PFML premium rate each September based on contributions from premiums and benefits paid during the previous year. More information can be found on the WSDA blog and the ESD PFML website.

Workers’ Compensation Premium Increase

Beginning January 1, 2024, workers’ compensation premium rates will increase an average of 4.9%. L&I is required by law to adjust rates annually, and this rate increase is necessary to ensure that premiums cover the expected costs of 2024 claims. More information regarding this rate increase is available on the L&I Rates for Workers’ Compensation page.

Minimum Wage Increase

Beginning January 1, 2024, the state minimum wage will increase to $16.28 per hour, up from the current $15.74 per hour rate. L&I is required by state law to calculate the minimum wage based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and this increase is linked to the cost of common goods such as housing, food, and medical care as shown by the CPI. This state minimum wage applies to workers 16 years of age or older, and it is important to keep in mind that some Washington cities, such as Seattle and SeaTac, have a higher minimum wage than state requirements. For more information, including details about overtime, rest breaks, and meal periods, visit the L&I Minimum Wage website and the WSDA blog.

Do you want to know more about other requirements that may apply to your office?

Visit the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries website to access resources for small businesses here.

Questions?

Please contact WSDA at info@wsda.org.