Washington Administrative Code › Title 246 - Health, Department of › PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING › Chapter 246-817 - Dental quality assurance commission › SUBSTANCE ABUSE MONITORING PROGRAMS › Section 246-817-830 - Participation in physician health programs or approved substance use disorder monitoring programs

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) In lieu of
				  disciplinary action, the dentist may accept DQAC referral into an approved
				  physician health program or substance use disorder monitoring program.
(a) The dentist shall undergo a complete
				  physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the approved physician
				  health program or substance use disorder monitoring program. This evaluation
				  shall be performed by health care professionals with expertise in substance use
				  disorders or other potentially impairing health conditions.
(b) The dentist shall enter into a contract
				  with the approved physician health program or substance use disorder monitoring
				  program to comply with the requirements of the physician health program or
				  substance use disorder program which shall include, but not be limited to, the
				  following:
(i) The dentist shall agree to
				  remain free of all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, except for
				  medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber, as defined in
				  RCW
				  69.41.030 and
				  69.50.101.
(ii) The dentist shall submit to random drug
				  screening as specified by the approved physician health program or substance
				  use disorder monitoring program.
(iii) The dentist shall sign a waiver
				  allowing the approved physician health program or substance use disorder
				  monitoring program to release information to the DQAC if the dentist does not
				  comply with the requirements of this contract.
(iv) The dentist shall undergo intensive
				  treatment of a substance use disorder or other potentially impairing health
				  condition in an approved treatment facility.
(v) The dentist must complete the prescribed
				  aftercare program of the approved physician health program or substance use
				  disorder treatment facility, which may include individual or group
				  psychotherapy.
(vi) The treatment
				  counselor(s) shall provide reports, as requested by the dentist, to the
				  approved physician health program or substance use disorder monitoring program
				  at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis and
				  goals.
(vii) The dentist shall
				  attend dentists' support groups and/or twelve-step group meetings as specified
				  by the contract.
(viii) The dentist
				  shall comply with specified practice conditions and restrictions as defined by
				  the contract.
(ix) Except for
				  (b)(i) through (iii) of this subsection, an approved physician health program
				  or substance use disorder monitoring program may make an exception to the
				  foregoing comments on individual contracts.
(c) The dentist is responsible for paying the
				  costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, substance use disorder or
				  other potentially impairing health condition treatment, random drug screens,
				  and therapeutic group sessions.
(d)
				  The dentist may be subject to disciplinary action under
				  RCW
				  18.130.160 and
				  18.130.180 if the dentist does not
				  consent to be referred to the approved physician health program or substance
				  use disorder monitoring program, does not comply with specified practice
				  restrictions, or does not successfully complete the
				  program.