Washington Rule Requiring Dentist to have an AED on premise? Is it still a rule or not?

Short answer is Yes WAC-246-817-722 stands as written. While the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) originally repealed the requirement to its rule requiring automated external defibrillators in certain dental offices that administered anesthetic. On May 1, 2009 the DQAC upheld the requirement that requires AED's in Washington state dental offices that administer anesthetic.

While this leaves the original rule (WAC 246-817-722) in effect, DQAC has also begun the administrative process to amend the rule with attention to two issues: exempting offices which administer only topical anesthetics and allowing adjoining offices to jointly comply with the rule using a single AED.

Because opposition to repealing the rule was expressed, DQAC was unable to use the states expedited repeal process. If approved, the revised rule would likely not be effective until March 2010. DQAC members clarified that the commission does have discretion in not pursuing complaints regarding AEDs in the interim.

AEDUniverse.com will be providing Washington Dentists with discounted AED pricing to help meet this requirement.

WAC 246-817-722 Every dental office in the state of Washington that administers anesthetic must have an automatic external defibrillator (AED) or defibrillator. The dentist and staff must be prepared to use this equipment in an emergency.

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