Washington State Law Study Guide
Exam and Actual Detailed Answers
(2025) Updated.
WAC 246-817-380
Patient abandonment - Answer The attending dentist, without reasonable cause, shall not
neglect, ignore, abandon, or refuse to complete the current procedure for a patient. If the
dentist chooses to withdraw responsibility for a patient of record, the dentist shall:
(1) Advise the patient that termination of treatment is contemplated and that another dentist
should be sought to complete the current procedure and for future care; and
(2) Advise the patient that the dentist shall remain reasonably available under the
circumstances for up to fifteen days from the date of such notice to render emergency care
related to that current procedure.
WAC 246-817-310
Patient record retention and accessibility requirements - Answer (1) A licensed dentist shall
keep readily accessible patient records for at least six years from the date of the last treatment.
(2) A licensed dentist shall respond to a written request from a patient to examine or copy a
patient's record within fifteen working days after receipt. A licensed dentist shall comply with
chapter 70.02 RCW for all patient record requests.
(3) A licensed dentist shall comply with chapter 70.02 RCW and the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act, 45 C.F.R. destruction and privacy regulations.
WAC 246-817-320
Report of patient injury or mortality. - Answer All licensees engaged in the practice of dentistry
shall submit a complete report of any patient mortality or other incident which results in
temporary or permanent physical or mental injury requiring hospitalization of said patient
during, or as a direct result of dental procedures or anesthesia related thereto. This report shall
be submitted to the DQAC within thirty days of the occurrence.
WAC 246-817-990
Dentist fees and renewal cycle - Answer (1) Licenses must be renewed every year on the
practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2, except faculty and resident
licenses.
(2) Faculty and resident licenses must be renewed every year on July 1 as provided in chapter
246-12 WAC, Part 2.
, (b) Take and record blood pressure and vital signs.
(c) Place, expose, and process radiographs.
(d) Take intra-oral and extra-oral photographs.
(e) Perform coronal polish. A licensed dentist shall determine the teeth are free of calculus or
other extraneous material prior to dismissing the patient.
(f) Give fluoride treatments.
(g) Give patient education in oral hygiene.
(h) Give preoperative and postoperative instructions.
(i) Deliver an oral sedative drug to patient.
(j) Assist in the administration of inhalation minimal sedation (nitrous oxide) analgesia, including
starting and stopping the flow as directed by the supervising dentist.
(k) Place topical anesthetics.
(l) Place and remove the rubber dam.
(m) Apply tooth separators as for placement for Class III gold foil.
(n) Apply sealants.
(o) Place a matrix and wedge for a direct restorative material after the dentist has prepared the
cavity.
(p) Place cavity liners and bases.
(q) Perform acid etch and apply bonding agents.
(r) Polish restorations but may not intra-orally adjust or finish permanent restorations.
(s) Sterilize equipment and disinfect operatories.
(t) Place retraction cord.
(u) Hold in place and remove impression materials after the dentist has placed them.
(v) Take impressions, bite registrations, or digital scans of the teeth and jaws for:
(i) Diagnostic and opposing models;
(ii) Fixed and removable orthodontic appliances, occlusal guards, bleaching trays, and fluoride
trays; and
(iii) Temporary indirect restorations such as temporary crowns.
(w) Take digital scans of prepared teeth for fabrication of permanent indirect restorations.
(x) Take a facebow transfer for mounting study casts.
(y) Fabricate and deliver bleaching and fluoride trays.
(z) Fabricate, c
Exam and Actual Detailed Answers
(2025) Updated.
WAC 246-817-380
Patient abandonment - Answer The attending dentist, without reasonable cause, shall not
neglect, ignore, abandon, or refuse to complete the current procedure for a patient. If the
dentist chooses to withdraw responsibility for a patient of record, the dentist shall:
(1) Advise the patient that termination of treatment is contemplated and that another dentist
should be sought to complete the current procedure and for future care; and
(2) Advise the patient that the dentist shall remain reasonably available under the
circumstances for up to fifteen days from the date of such notice to render emergency care
related to that current procedure.
WAC 246-817-310
Patient record retention and accessibility requirements - Answer (1) A licensed dentist shall
keep readily accessible patient records for at least six years from the date of the last treatment.
(2) A licensed dentist shall respond to a written request from a patient to examine or copy a
patient's record within fifteen working days after receipt. A licensed dentist shall comply with
chapter 70.02 RCW for all patient record requests.
(3) A licensed dentist shall comply with chapter 70.02 RCW and the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act, 45 C.F.R. destruction and privacy regulations.
WAC 246-817-320
Report of patient injury or mortality. - Answer All licensees engaged in the practice of dentistry
shall submit a complete report of any patient mortality or other incident which results in
temporary or permanent physical or mental injury requiring hospitalization of said patient
during, or as a direct result of dental procedures or anesthesia related thereto. This report shall
be submitted to the DQAC within thirty days of the occurrence.
WAC 246-817-990
Dentist fees and renewal cycle - Answer (1) Licenses must be renewed every year on the
practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2, except faculty and resident
licenses.
(2) Faculty and resident licenses must be renewed every year on July 1 as provided in chapter
246-12 WAC, Part 2.
, (b) Take and record blood pressure and vital signs.
(c) Place, expose, and process radiographs.
(d) Take intra-oral and extra-oral photographs.
(e) Perform coronal polish. A licensed dentist shall determine the teeth are free of calculus or
other extraneous material prior to dismissing the patient.
(f) Give fluoride treatments.
(g) Give patient education in oral hygiene.
(h) Give preoperative and postoperative instructions.
(i) Deliver an oral sedative drug to patient.
(j) Assist in the administration of inhalation minimal sedation (nitrous oxide) analgesia, including
starting and stopping the flow as directed by the supervising dentist.
(k) Place topical anesthetics.
(l) Place and remove the rubber dam.
(m) Apply tooth separators as for placement for Class III gold foil.
(n) Apply sealants.
(o) Place a matrix and wedge for a direct restorative material after the dentist has prepared the
cavity.
(p) Place cavity liners and bases.
(q) Perform acid etch and apply bonding agents.
(r) Polish restorations but may not intra-orally adjust or finish permanent restorations.
(s) Sterilize equipment and disinfect operatories.
(t) Place retraction cord.
(u) Hold in place and remove impression materials after the dentist has placed them.
(v) Take impressions, bite registrations, or digital scans of the teeth and jaws for:
(i) Diagnostic and opposing models;
(ii) Fixed and removable orthodontic appliances, occlusal guards, bleaching trays, and fluoride
trays; and
(iii) Temporary indirect restorations such as temporary crowns.
(w) Take digital scans of prepared teeth for fabrication of permanent indirect restorations.
(x) Take a facebow transfer for mounting study casts.
(y) Fabricate and deliver bleaching and fluoride trays.
(z) Fabricate, c
