Title: An act relating to dental licensure.

Brief Description: Modifying dental licensure provisions.

Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Moeller and Morrell).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/08/06, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/15/06, 2/20/06 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Deccio, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Franklin, Johnson, Kastama, Kline and Parlette.

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: The practice of dentistry is regulated by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (Commission). The Commission's responsibilities include coordinating examinations, adopting licensing requirements, investigating complaints of unprofessional conduct, and issuing findings of unprofessional conduct, and imposing sanctions for those violations.

Applicants for a license to practice dentistry are required to: (1) show proof of graduation from a dental program approved by the Commission; (2) provide a list of professional education and experience; (3) complete AIDS education; (4) certify malpractice insurance coverage; (5) provide written certification of any licenses held; and (6) pass a written and a clinical examination approved by the Commission. The Washington Administrative Code specifies that the examination requirement is met by passing the written examination offered by the National Board and the practical examination offered by the Western Regional Examining Board. The examination requirement may be waived if the applicant holds a license to practice dentistry in another state, is currently engaged in practice in that state, and has graduated from a dental school approved by the Commission.

Summary of Amended Bill: It is specified that the exception from the practice of dentistry that applies to dental students acting under the direction of dental school faculty who are licensed in Washington applies to students who practice under a dentist who is licensed in Washington and is a member of a dental school faculty.

It is specified that an applicant for a license to practice dentistry without examination who was licensed in another state prior to that state's requirement to take the National Board Dental Examination, is not required to take and pass that examination. The term "currently engaged in practice" is defined to mean that the person must have engaged in clinical practice for at least 288 hours per year for two of the three years prior to applying for the license.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The amended bill clarifies that an applicant licensed in another state before that state (and not Washington state) had a requirement to pass the National Board Dental Examination, is not required to pass this examination.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: We support this bill with the amendment proposed by the Department of Health which clarifies the examination requirement for those from outside Washington State.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Moeller, Linda Hull, Washington State Dental Association.