SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1894

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Braddock, D. Sommers, Brooks, Sprenkle, Vekich, Day, Cantwell, Wolfe, Morris, Chandler, Patrick, Valle, Dellwo, Rector, Nelson and Phillips)

Making technical changes in dental hygiene and dentistry.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 23, 1989; March 29, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, Kreidler.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  March 30, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 29, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The practice of dental hygiene is regulated by the Department of Licensing, and a person must hold a license in order to practice.  Currently, the Director of Licensing is not granted specified statutory authority to regulate dental hygienists with regard to uniform procedures to license individuals.

Applicants for licensure must be citizens, at least 18 years of age and of good moral character, and must submit proof of graduation from a training school.  The examining committee is composed of three dental hygienists and examinations must be given twice annually.  Licenses must be renewed by October 1 annually.

The practice of dentistry is regulated by the Department of Licensing.  There is currently no residence requirement for members of the Dental Board of Examiners.  Hours of training are specified at the high school, college, and dental school levels for applicants, and citizenship is a requirement.  Applicants may take an indefinite number of subsequent examinations.  Licenses are renewable annually on October 1.

SUMMARY:

Amendments to Dental Hygiene Act:

Technical changes are made to the Dental Hygiene Act.

Applicants for licensure must complete relevant course work, pass an examination and not have previously engaged in unprofessional conduct.  Licenses are renewable as determined by the director.

The Dental Hygiene Examining Committee is expanded to include a public member.  The two dental hygiene members must be licensed and have practiced for at least five years prior to appointment.  Members serve for three year terms or until successors are appointed and can be removed for misconduct.  Members of the committee are declared immune from legal liability in the course of their duties.

The director is given general authority to set license renewal dates, adopt rules specifying examination subjects, setting passage standards, setting examination dates, and establishing procedures for appeal.  The director is also given authority to implement other provisions of the law, including the establishment of minimum education requirements for applicants, and the approval of educational programs.

Exemptions from licensure are provided for dental hygienists employed by the federal government as well as dental hygiene students.

Applicants for licensure as a dental hygienist from out of state may practice in this state without examination if they are licensed in jurisdictions with substantially equivalent standards to this state.

Amendments to the Dental Act:

Three of the nine members of the Board of Dental Examiners must be residents from Eastern Washington.  The expiration of terms of board members is changed from July 1 to January 1, but members are to serve until successors are appointed.  The board is authorized to adopt rules to implement the law and the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

Applicants for licensure as dentists must have graduated from schools approved by the board.  The specification of hours of training at the high school, college, and dental school level is repealed.  The records of the examination are open for inspection to an applicant.  Citizenship is no longer a requirement.  The applicant is to be notified by the board for an appearance before the board.  Examination papers are to be preserved for a period of one year rather than three years.  An applicant is entitled to take four subsequent examinations, except by leave of the board, rather than an indefinite number.  Licenses are renewable annually as determined by the director, and failure to renew for three years renders the license invalid, except by leave of the board.

Members of the board may be removed by the Governor for cause.

Applicants for licensure as a dentist from out of state may practice in this state without examination if they are licensed in jurisdictions with substantially equivalent standards to this state.

Gender oriented language is stricken.  Other technical changes are made, including recodification of sections, and the repeal of redundant sections.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 14, 1989

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Provisions are added authorizing an appropriation from the health professions account to the Department of Licensing.  Out-of-state applicants for licenses are required to submit information about past violations of ethical practices as pertains to the Uniform Disciplinary Act and to demonstrate a knowledge about Washington laws relating to the practice of their profession.

Senate Committee - Testified: Linda Christopherson, Washington State Dental Association (pro); Jeff Larsen, Washington State Dental Hygiene Association (pro)