HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1740

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care & Wellness

Title: An act relating to issuance of licenses to practice dentistry.

Brief Description: Regarding the issuance of licenses to practice dentistry.

Sponsors: Representatives Cody and Hinkle.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 2/10/09, 2/20/09 [DPS].

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Driscoll, Vice Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Campbell, Clibborn, Green, Herrera, Hinkle, Kelley, Moeller, Morrell and Pedersen.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191)

Background:

Dentists are licensed and disciplined by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC). In order to be licensed, a dentist must:

• submit proof of graduation from a dental college, school, or dental department of an institution approved by the DQAC;

• submit a recent picture; and

• pass an examination.

A dentist may forego the examination requirement if he or she completes a post-doctoral dental residency program accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the DQAC. The residency must:

• last from one to three years;

• be located in a community health clinic that serves predominantly low-income patients or that is located in a dental care health professional shortage area; and

• include an outcome assessment evaluation that assesses the resident's competence to practice dentistry.

The DQAC may issue a limited license to practice dentistry for a person to participate in the post-doctoral residency program. The license may only permit the dentist to provide dental care in connection with his or her duties in the program.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The DQAC may issue a limited license to practice dentistry for a person to participate in any post-doctoral dental residency program approved by the DQAC (as opposed to only the residency program authorized to substitute for the examination requirement).

Prior to July 1, 2010, the DQAC may only approve a program if it is either accredited by the ADA or in the process of obtaining such accreditation. On or after July 1, 2010, the DQAC may only approve a program if it is accredited by the ADA.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill requires, prior to July 1, 2010, a dental residency program to either be accredited by the ADA or be in the process of obtaining the accreditation in order to be approved by the DQAC. On or after July 1, 2010, a dental residency program must be accredited by the ADA in order to be approved by the DQAC. The substitute bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2009.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2009.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The DQAC currently can issue a limited license for a post-doctoral residency in a community clinic. This bill would allow hospitals to open post-doctoral residency programs. Currently, hospital-based dental practices cater to patients who are not served by other kinds of dental practices; e.g., patients in gurneys, patients in wheelchairs, sedated patients, patients with hemophilia, and patients with Down's syndrome. Allowing hospitals to open post-doctoral residency programs would provide hospital-based dental practices with much-needed manpower and train residents to replicate the practices in other locations. The hospitals would bear the expense of these programs.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Linda Hall, Washington State Dental Association; and Dr. Bart Johnson, Swedish Medical Center.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.