Chapter 204

2007 -- S 0658 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/02/07

A N A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DENTISTS AND DENTAL

HYGIENISTS

Introduced By: Senators Jabour, Pichardo, Miller, Perry, and McBurney

Date Introduced: February 15, 2007

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-31.1-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-31.1 entitled "Dentists

and Dental Hygienists" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-31.1-6. License to practice -- Qualifications of applicants -- Fee -- Reexamination. -

- (a) Authority to practice dentistry or dental hygiene under this chapter is by a license, issued by

the director of the department of health, to any reputable dentist or dental hygienist who intends

to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in this state, and who meets the requirements for licensure

prescribed in this chapter and regulations established by the board or the director.

      (b) Applicants for licensure as dentists shall:

      (1) Present satisfactory evidence of graduation from a school of dentistry accredited by

the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation or its designated agency

and approved by the board;

      (2) Meet any other requirements that the board or director by regulation establishes; and

      (3) Pass in a satisfactory manner any examinations that the board requires.

      (c) Applicants for licensure as dental hygienists shall:

      (1) Present satisfactory evidence of graduation from a school for dental hygiene

accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Auxiliary Accreditation or

its designated agency and approved by the board;

      (2) Meet any other requirements that the board or director by regulation establishes; and

      (3) Pass in a satisfactory manner any examination that the board requires.

      (d) Any dentist applying for licensure shall pay an application fee of four hundred thirty-

seven dollars and fifty cents ($437.50) and any dental hygienist applying for licensure shall pay

an application fee of ninety-three dollars and seventy-five cents ($93.75). Application fees shall

in no case be returned. Applicants requiring reexamination for dentistry shall submit a fee of four

hundred thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents ($437.50) for each reexamination. Applicants

requiring reexamination for dental hygiene shall submit a fee of ninety-three dollars and seventy-

five cents ($93.75) for each reexamination.

(e)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board of dental examiners may

issue a special license to qualifying dentists and dental hygienists under the terms and conditions

set forth in this section and pursuant to requirements which may be set forth in the rules and

regulations of the board. The special license may only be issued to a person who is retired from

the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene and not currently engaged in such practice either full-

time or part-time and has, prior to retirement, maintained full licensure in good standing in

dentistry or dental hygiene in any state.

(2) The special licensee shall be permitted to practice dentistry or dental hygiene only in

the non-compensated employ of public agencies or institutions, not-for-profit agencies, not-for-

profit institutions, nonprofit corporations, or not-for-profit associations which provide dentistry or

dental hygiene services only to indigent patients in areas which are underserved by dentists or

dental hygienists or critical need population areas of the state.

(3) The person applying for the special license under this section shall submit to the

board a notarized statement from the employing agency, institution, corporation, association or

health care program on a form prescribed by the board, whereby he or she agrees unequivocally

not to receive compensation for any dentistry or dental hygiene services he or she may render

while in possession of the special license.

(4) Any application fees and all licensure and renewal fees shall be waived for the holder

of the special license under this section.

(5) A dentist or dental hygienist licensed pursuant to this section shall comply with the

continuing education requirements established by the board of dental examiners in this state.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01938/SUB A

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