HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1699

                  As Amended by the Senate

Title:  An act relating to continuing education for dentists.

Brief Description:  Establishing continuing education for dentists.

Sponsors:  Representatives Parlette, Cody, Schoesler, Barlean, Esser, Edmonds and Van Luven.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/18/99, 2/25/99 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/10/99, 97-0.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate:  4/12/99, 49-0.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Requires the Dental Quality Assurance Commission to establish a continuing dental education program.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Cody, Democratic Co-Chair; Parlette, Republican Co-Chair; Pflug, Republican Vice Chair; Schual-Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Alexander; Boldt; Campbell; Conway; Edmonds; Edwards; Mulliken and Ruderman.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:

The practice of dentistry is licensed by the Department of Health, and no person may practice or refer to himself or herself as a dentist without being licensed.  The Dental Quality Assurance Commission qualifies applicants for licensure and acts as the disciplinary authority for unprofessional conduct under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

Continuing education is a method of staying current with new developments in science and technology by taking approved courses or learning opportunities related to a field of expertise.  A number of the regulated health professions require continuing education as a condition for the renewal of licenses.

The dental commission does not have authority to establish a program of continuing dental education.

Summary of Bill:

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission is required to establish a continuing dental education program for applicants renewing their dental licenses.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S): The Senate amendment provides an effective date of July 1, 2001, after which the requirements for meeting continuing education apply to dentists as a condition of renewing their licenses.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  It is important for dentists to keep current on changes in dental science and technology by taking courses approved by the commission for continuing dental education.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dr. Timothy Wandell, Washington State Dental Association.