| Chapter 069 |
| 2021 -- S 0380 Enacted 06/23/2021 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS |
Introduced By: Senators Pearson, Miller, Valverde, DiMario, and Goldin |
| Date Introduced: February 25, 2021 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Section 5-31.1-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-31.1 entitled "Dentists |
| and Dental Hygienists" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
| 5-31.1-2. Board of examiners in dentistry -- Members -- Compensation -- Funds. |
| (a) There is created within the department of health the Rhode Island board of examiners |
| in dentistry composed of the following members: |
| (1) Eight (8) licensed dentists, no more than three (3) shall be dental specialists as |
| recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) and at least one of the three (3) dental |
| specialists shall be an oral and maxillofacial surgeon; |
| (2) Four (4) public members not associated with the dental field; |
| (3) Two (2) licensed dental hygienists; |
| (4) The chief of the office of dental public health, who shall serve as an ex-officio member |
| of the board; and |
| (5) One certified dental assistant. |
| (b) The governor shall appoint the members of the board, except that prior to appointing |
| the eight (8) dentist members, the governor may submit a list of all candidates to the appropriate |
| dental societies for comments as to their qualifications. No member shall be appointed for more |
| than two (2) consecutive full terms. A member appointed for less than a full term (originally or to |
| fill a vacancy) may serve two (2) full terms in addition to that part of a full term, and a former |
| member is again eligible for appointment after a lapse of one or more years. All subsequent |
| appointments to the board shall be for a term of three (3) years. Any member of the board may be |
| removed by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct, malfeasance, or misfeasance in office |
| after being given a written statement of the charges against him or her and sufficient opportunity |
| to be heard on the charges. The director of the department of health shall appoint from the members |
| a chairperson who shall be a dentist duly licensed under the laws of the state of Rhode Island, and |
| a vice-chairperson who shall in the absence of the chairperson exercise all powers of the |
| chairperson, and secretary, who serve for one year or until their successors are appointed and |
| qualified. The board shall meet at least once a month or more often upon the call of the chairperson, |
| director of health, or dental administrator, at any times and places that the chairperson designates. |
| (c) Members of the board shall not be paid for the discharge of official duties. |
| (d) The director has the authority to suspend or revoke the license of any dentist or dental |
| hygienist who does not pay the annual fee. Monies shall be received by the department and |
| deposited in the general fund as general revenues. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
| ======== |
| LC001936 |
| ======== |