Patient abandonment.
The attending dentist, without reasonable cause, shall not neglect, ignore, abandon, or refuse to complete the current procedure for a patient. If the dentist chooses to withdraw responsibility for a patient of record, the dentist shall:
(1) Advise the patient that termination of treatment is contemplated and that another dentist should be sought to complete the current procedure and for future care; and
(2) Advise the patient that the dentist shall remain reasonably available under the circumstances for up to fifteen days from the date of such notice to render emergency care related to that current procedure.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.32.035. WSR 95-21-041, ยง 246-817-380, filed 10/10/95, effective 11/10/95.]