HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1740
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to issuance of licenses to practice dentistry.
Brief Description: Regarding the issuance of licenses to practice dentistry.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody and Hinkle).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/10/09, 2/20/09 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/4/09, 95-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/14/09, 45-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 4/20/09, 91-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Driscoll, Vice Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Campbell, Clibborn, Green, Herrera, Hinkle, Kelley, Moeller, Morrell and Pedersen.
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191)
Background:
Dentists are licensed and disciplined by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC). In order to be licensed, a dentist must:
submit proof of graduation from a dental college, school, or dental department of an institution approved by the DQAC;
submit a recent picture; and
pass an examination.
A dentist may forego the examination requirement if he or she completes a post-doctoral dental residency program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (Commission) and the DQAC. The residency must:
last from one to three years;
be located in a community health clinic that serves predominantly low-income patients or that is located in a dental care health professional shortage area; and
include an outcome assessment evaluation that assesses the resident's competence to practice dentistry.
The DQAC may issue a limited license to practice dentistry for a person to participate in the post-doctoral residency program. The license may only permit the dentist to provide dental care in connection with his or her duties in the program.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The DQAC may issue a limited license to practice dentistry for a post-doctoral students in dental education and post-doctoral residents in any dental residency program approved by the DQAC.
Prior to July 1, 2010, the DQAC may only approve a program if it is either accredited by the Commission or in the process of obtaining such accreditation. On or after July 1, 2010, the DQAC may only approve a program if it is accredited by the Commission.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The DQAC currently can issue a limited license for a post-doctoral residency in a community clinic. This bill would allow hospitals to open post-doctoral residency programs. Currently, hospital-based dental practices cater to patients who are not served by other kinds of dental practices; e.g., patients in gurneys, patients in wheelchairs, sedated patients, patients with hemophilia, and patients with Down's syndrome. Allowing hospitals to open post-doctoral residency programs would provide hospital-based dental practices with much-needed manpower and train residents to replicate the practices in other locations. The hospitals would bear the expense of these programs.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Linda Hall, Washington State Dental Association; and Dr. Bart Johnson, Swedish Medical Center.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.