The purpose of WAC 246-817-601 through 246-817-660 is to establish requirements for infection control where dentistry is provided in the state of Washington to protect the health and well-being of the people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings 2003, MMWR Vol. 52, No. RR-17, and the Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings: Basic Expectations for Safe Care, March 2016, are the basis for these rules. Case reports and public health events regarding the transmission of diseases from patient to patient, practitioner to patient, and patient to practitioner have been published that demonstrate risks that were either unrecognized in the past or new. This includes people accompanying patients and visitors. A strong educational component for practitioners is necessary to prevent disease transmission from patient to practitioner, practitioner to patient, and patient to patient.