FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5774

                                  C 252 L 87

BYSenators Tanner and Anderson

Requiring permanent identification markings on dentures and removable dental prosthesis.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committe on Health Care

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In nursing homes where many residents may have dentures, staff do mass cleaning of all dentures and it is easy to mismatch the denture with the proper owner.  Also, dentures are misplaced and some residents forget where they put them.

In order to make sure that the proper owners maintain use of their own dentures, the requirement of a permanent owner identification mark is recommended.  This would also assist forensic dentists in identifying dead bodies.

SUMMARY:

Every denture shall be marked by a dentist or dental laboratory with permanent identification of the person who wears the denture.  Dentures not marked prior to this law shall be marked when returned for any rebasing.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    48     0

      House 95   1

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987