HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 668

BYRepresentatives Braddock, Brooks and Holm

Authorizing the dental disciplinary board to adopt rules governing the use of anesthesia.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:     Do pass.  (10)

     Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lewis, Lux, D. Sommers and Sprenkle.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE JANUARY 18, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Currently there is no specific authority in the dental practice law governing training and education requirements for the administration of sedation and anesthesia by dentists.  The Dental Disciplinary Board has general authority to monitor the practice of dentistry and has disciplinary authority over dentists.

SUMMARY:

The Dental Disciplinary Board is authorized to adopt rules concerning the administration of sedation and general anesthesia for dental practice, including training, equipment, and certificates or registration requirements.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  The Board of Dental Examiners shall adopt rules for dentists administering sedation and general anesthesia.  The rules of the board are restricted to dentists.

Fiscal Note:    Requested February 6, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Stewart Bender, President, Washington State Dental Association; John Brown, practicing dentist; and John Eldridge, practicing oral surgeon.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     The board has no authority to discipline dentists who do not possess the appropriate qualifications for administering anesthesia.  There is a need to address this practice issue, and the American Dental Association has already established standards in this area.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Yeas 92; Excused 6

Excused:   Representatives Allen, Bumgarner, King R, Schoon, Smith C, Todd