The Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) recently made modifications to:

• Dentist Continuing Education (Effective Jan. 28, 2022)
• Dentist Retired Active Status (Effective, Jan. 28, 2022)
• Delegation of the COVID-19 Vaccination to Hygienists (Effective Jan. 22, 2022)

Dentist Continuing Education Requirements CR-103

DQAC adopted amendments to WAC 246-817-440, the dentist continuing education rule, to allow full continuing education credit for recorded interactive webinars. The adopted language also clarifies that full credit also applies to live interactive webinars, and the Commission plans to create an FAQ document further detailing this change.

Prior to this rule adoption, dentists could only earn thirty minutes for every one hour of self-study continuing education completed, including online courses.

Dentist Retired Active Status CR-103

DQAC adopted amendments to WAC 246-817-230, dentist retired active status, to align continuing education requirements for retired active providers with the three-year CE cycle required in rule. Additionally, the rule modification updates references in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 5 to provide clarification.

COVID-19 Vaccination CR-103

DQAC recently adopted a permanent rule creating WAC 246-817-581, allowing dentists to delegate administration of COVID-19 vaccination to licensed dental hygienists with close supervision and demonstration of competency. The adopted rule also provides for acceptance of approved vaccination protocols and screening to meet the dentist's requirement to diagnose and authorize treatment.

The Commission filed an emergency rule on COVID-19 vaccination delegation to hygienists in 2021, and this permanent rule will replace the emergency rule.