HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 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. |
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to dental licensure through completion of a residency program.
Brief Description: Concerning dental licensure through completion of a residency program.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, DeBolt, Riccelli, Caldier, Jinkins and Appleton).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/14/17, 2/17/17 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/27/17, 96-0.
Passed Senate: 4/4/17, 49-0.
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 17 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Graves, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Clibborn, DeBolt, Harris, Jinkins, MacEwen, Maycumber, Riccelli, Robinson, Rodne, Slatter, Stonier and Tharinger.
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 postdoctoral 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 Substitute Bill:
An applicant for licensure as a dentist may forego the examination requirement if he or she completes a general practice, pediatric, 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 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: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Residencies should be part of the strategy to reach more low-income patients. This bill broadens residency settings to include hospitals. Residencies are evolving to include a multidisciplinary approach, including dentistry. Dentists who complete residencies in rural areas stay there. This bill will help incentivize people to complete residencies and will help create new programs. Pediatric residencies are a welcome part of this bill.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Trent House, Providence Dental Centers; Amy Winston, Swedish Medical Center; and Devin Sawyer, Providence Saint Peter Hospital.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.