HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1612



         As Reported by House Committee On:       
Health Care

Title: An act relating to University of Washington dental school faculty.

Brief Description: Modifying the licensing provisions for faculty members of the University of Washington dental school.

Sponsors: Representatives Kilmer, Skinner, Cody, Bailey, Murray, Haigh, Kenney, McDermott and Santos.

Brief History:

Health Care: 2/18/05, 2/25/05 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Expands the exception for obtaining a license to practice dentistry without an examination for full-time teaching faculty at the School of Dentistry of the University of Washington to also apply to faculty who are not full-time employees.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Campbell, Vice Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Appleton, Clibborn, Condotta, Green, Hinkle, Lantz, Moeller, Schual-Berke and Skinner.

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

Applicants for a license to practice dentistry in Washington must present evidence of graduation from a dental school approved by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) and pass an examination approved by the Commission. There are several instances in which an individual may obtain a license to practice dentistry without taking an examination. One of these exceptions applies to situations where the Dean of the School of Dentistry of the University of Washington requests that the Commission issue a license to a dentist who is licensed in another state or country and is to be employed by the School of Dentistry as a full-time faculty member.


Summary of Bill:

The exception that allows full-time teaching faculty members employed by the School of Dentistry to obtain a license to practice dentistry without taking an examination is expanded to also include teaching faculty members employed by the School of Dentistry who are not full-time employees.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: There are several faculty dentists who will retire soon and would not be able to continue teaching on a part-time basis because of current law. These faculty members work in public clinics serving low-income patients and have significant institutional knowledge.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Kilmer, prime sponsor; Linda Hull, Washington State Dental Association; and Dr. Robert O'Neil, University of Washington Dental School.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.