Brief Description: Concerning dental health services.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Moeller, Appleton, Morrell, Clibborn, Green, Kenney, Murray, Schual-Berke and Chase).

House Committee on Health Care
Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

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. The examination consists of both written and practical components. The practical component is met through completing the Western Regional Examining Board's clinical examination within five years of applying for a license.

Summary:

An applicant for a license to practice dentistry may replace the practical examination requirement for obtaining a license with the satisfactory completion of a postdoctoral residency program in a community health clinic that serves predominantly low-income patients or is located in a dental care health professional shortage area in Washington. The residency must last for at least one year and must be accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) and approved by the Commission. The Commission must establish criteria, consistent with the standards of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the ADA, for the sponsoring clinics to use when sponsoring residents, including guidelines for supervising and evaluating residents. Residents in the program must hold a limited license to practice dentistry.

This act is null and void if not funded in the Omnibus Operating Budget.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   97   0
Senate   47   0   (Senate amended)
House   95   0   (House concurred)

Effective: July 1, 2006