Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
HB 1411
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. |
Brief Description: Concerning dental licensure through completion of a residency program.
Sponsors: Representatives Cody, DeBolt, Riccelli, Caldier, Jinkins and Appleton.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/14/17
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.
An applicant for licensure as 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 must develop criteria, consistent with the standards of the Commission, for community clinics to use when sponsoring students in a residency program.
Summary of Bill:
An applicant for licensure as a dentist may forego the examination requirement if he or she completes a general practice or advanced education in general dentistry residency program in Washington, instead of a postdoctoral dental residency program. The requirement that the residency program be approved by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) is eliminated.
The program must be at least one year long, instead of at between one and three years long. The program must serve predominantly low-income patients, but no longer must be located in a community health clinic or a dental care health professional shortage area. The requirement that the program include an outcome assessment evaluation is eliminated. The requirement that the DQAC develop criteria for community clinics is eliminated.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 9, 2017.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.