For over three years, the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) has been working to update our state’s dental anesthesia rules, which are now headed to the next stage of rulemaking. 

While WSDA has been an active participant throughout the rulemaking process, we still have concerns with several sections of the proposed rules, such as:

• Under WAC 246-817-724, DQAC is proposing that when anesthetic of any kind is administered, including topical anesthesia, vitals must be obtained for patients older than 13 years of age.
• Under WAC 246-817-722, DQAC is proposing that “Whenever anesthetic agents of any kind are administered, the dentist and staff must have access to an AED or defibrillator.” This proposed requirement would apply to all offices that administer anesthesia, including those that only administer topical anesthesia.
• Under WAC 246-817-774, DQAC is proposing that moderate sedation with enteral and parenteral agents permitholders must perform a minimum of 12 emergency drill scenarios at least two times per year.
• Under WAC 246-817-740, WAC 246-817-745, and WAC 246-817-755, DQAC is proposing that a second individual must be in the office and immediately able to respond to any request when minimal sedation with or without nitrous oxide, or moderate sedation with enteral agents, is administered.

If you share these concerns, please take a brief moment to send a pre-drafted message to DQAC by clicking the “Submit Your Feedback” button below. WSDA encourages members to review the proposed rules as well as this chart outlining what WSDA considers to be the biggest pain points of the rules.

Submit Your Feedback

DQAC will hold a hybrid-style public hearing on the proposed anesthesia rules on Friday, September 8 at 10:00 AM to determine whether to finalize the proposed rules. WSDA encourages members to sign up to virtually attend the public hearing. For members interested in attending in person, the hearing will be held at:

Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation
Meeting Room 103
222 Columbia St. NW
Olympia, WA 98501

Register to Attend the Hearing