Section 246-817-780. Mandatory reporting of death or significant complication as a result of any dental procedure.

All licensees engaged in the practice of dentistry must submit a report of any patient death or other life-threatening incident or complication, permanent injury or admission to a hospital that results in a stay at the hospital for more than twenty-four hours, which is or may be a result of a dental procedure caused by a dentist or dental treatment.

(1) The dentist involved must notify the department of health/DQAC, by telephone, e-mail or fax within seventy-two hours of discovery and must submit a complete written report to the DQAC within thirty days of the incident.

(2) When a patient comes into an office with an existing condition, and hospital admission is the result of that condition and not the dental procedure, it is not reportable.

(3) The written report must include the following:

(a) Name, age, and address of the patient.

(b) Name of the dentist and other personnel present during the incident.

(c) Address of the facility or office where the incident took place.

(d) Description of the type of sedation or anesthetic being utilized at the time of the incident.

(e) Dosages, if any, of drugs administered to the patient.

(f) A narrative description of the incident including approximate times and evolution of symptoms.

(g) Additional information which the DQAC may require or request.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.640 and 18.32.0365. WSR 09-04-042, § 246-817-780, filed 1/30/09, effective 3/2/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.035. WSR 95-21-041, § 246-817-780, filed 10/10/95, effective 11/10/95.]

RCW 18.32.640 and 18.32.0365. WSR 09-04-042, § 246-817-780, filed 1/30/09, effective 3/2/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.035. WSR 95-21-041, § 246-817-780, filed 10/10/95, effective 11/10/95.