Frequently Asked Questions - Nonorthodontic Removable Oral Devices and Teeth Whitening Services

You must submit to the Department of Health the approved declaration form verifying completion of education and training in nonorthodontic removable oral devices and teeth whitening. The department will update our records and issue you a new license with the endorsement.

You must get the education and training through a board-approved program or course.

No application or fee is required to get the endorsements. You do have to submit the original declarations. Keep a copy of the declarations for your records.

You may submit the signed declarations at any time. The endorsements won't be issued until July 1, 2014 as this is the effective date of the legislation.

• A minimum of four hours of instruction in snore guards and sleep apnea;
• A minimum of two hours of instruction in bruxism devices, sports mouth guards, and removable cosmetic devices; and
• A minimum of two hours of instruction in teeth whitening services.

Refer to WAC 246-812-240 and WAC 246-812-250.

Listed below are the programs or courses that have been approved:

• Bates Technical College, Denturist program - Naser Al-tameemi, Licensed Denturist - Approved for nonorthodontic removable oral devices and teeth whitening services. The course is a two-day, 12-hour program.
• Carlo Zanon, DD, LD. FCAD - Snore Guards and Sleep Apnea - Approved for seven hours.
• Ultradent - Shannon Pace-Brinker, CDA, CDD - Approved for:
  • Bruxism devices and sports mouth guards - two hours
  • Removable cosmetic appliances - two hours
  • Teeth whitening services - two hours

• American Denturist College - Todd Young, BS, LD - Approved for nonorthodontic removable oral devices and teeth whitening services. This training consists of 30-hours and is included in the denturist program curriculum. It is not a stand alone course.

There are no expiration dates for the endorsements. They are valid for as long as you maintain your denturist license. Refer to the next question.

A denturist who has an endorsement to provide nonorthodontic removable oral devices must complete two hours of continuing competency every three years. This must include continuing competency in making, placing, constructing, altering, reproducing, or repairing bruxism devices and snoring devices. Refer to WAC 246-812-020.

You shall provide the patient with written and verbal information, and answer any questions related to teeth whitening and teeth whitening solutions. You shall get written patient consent on a form approved by the board for the procedure(s) and retain the signed form in the patient record.

You may download the board approved patient informed consent form here.

Nonorthodontic removable oral devices are limited to:

• Bruxism devices also known as occlusal splints, occlusal bite guard, bruxism appliance, bite plate, and night guard;
• Sports mouth guards;
• Removable cosmetic appliances, regardless of whether the patient is missing teeth; and
• Snoring devices, but only after a physician has rules out snoring associated with sleep breathing disorders to include obstructive sleep apnea.

Yes. This doesn't include making, placing, constructing, altering, reproducing, or repairing nonorthodontic removable oral devices intended to treat obstructive sleep apnea or to treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction.