2021 -- S 0380

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LC001936

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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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

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     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.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DENTISTS AND DENTAL

HYGIENISTS

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     This act would require at least one oral and maxillofacial surgeon on the Rhode Island

board of examiners in dentistry.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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