Introduced By: Senators Izzo, Perry, Sosnowski, Walton and Roberts
Date Introduced : February 4, 1998
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 16-21-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-21entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is hereby amendedto read as follows:
16-21-9. {DEL Health and dental examinations-- Reports -- Records. -- DEL} {ADD Health examinationsand dental screenings -- Reports -- Records. -- ADD} {ADD (a) ADD}Each community as defined in section 16-7-16 shall provide forthe appointment of a physician to make examinations of the healthof the school children, who shall report any deviation from thenormal, and for the preservation of records of the examinationsof the children. Each community shall further provide for dental {DEL examinations DEL} {ADD screenings ADD} by a dentist {ADD orlicensed dental hygienist with at least three (3) years of clinicalexperience, ADD} who shall report any {ADD suspected ADD}deviationfrom the normal and for the preservation of records of the {DEL examinations DEL} {ADD screenings ADD} of the children. Each community shall notifythe parents or custodians of children of conditions requiringprofessional or skilled treatment. The state commissioner of elementaryand secondary education shall provide such blank forms and recordbooks as he or she may deem necessary for the purposes of thissection.
{ADD (b) Each community as defined in section 16-7-16 shall onlycontract with a licensed dentist for the provision of the dentalscreenings services required hereby. Dental hygienists performingthe dental screenings pursuant to the provisions of this sectionshall do so under the general supervision of the dentist liableand responsible under the contract with the community. ADD}
{ADD (c) Except in emergency circumstances, referral by a dentistor dental hygienist of children screened pursuant to the provisionsof this section to a dental practice by which the dentist or dentalhygienist is employed and/or which the dentist owns shall be strictlyprohibited. In the event that a referral has been made in violationof this provision, the community shall terminate its contractwith the dentist. In the case of an egregious violation of thereferral prohibition contained herein, such conduct shall be reportedto the Board of Dental Examiners. ADD}
{ADD (d) Each community shall provide to parents or custodians ofchildren who require professional or skilled treatment a listof both dental practices in the community which accept patientsinsured by Medical Assistance and/or RIte Care and dental practiceswhich provide services on a sliding scale basis to uninsured individuals. The Rhode Island Department of Human Services shall provide eachcommunity with a list containing the addresses and telephone numbersof both dental practices which accept patients insured by MedicalAssistance and/or RIte Care and dental practices which provideservices on a sliding scale basis to uninsured individuals. ADD}
{ADD (e) Dental screenings for children in kindergarten, third,and ninth grade shall only be performed by a licensed dentist. ADD}
{ADD (f) All dentists or dental hygienists performing dental screeningspursuant to the provisions of this section shall meet with theOral Health Director of the department of health on a regularbasis, as determined by the chief. ADD}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
