2012 -- H 7078

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DENTISTS AND DENTAL

HYGIENISTS

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Malik, Ferri, and Messier

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2012

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 5-31.1-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-31.1 entitled "Dentists

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

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     5-31.1-2. Board of examiners in dentistry -- Members -- Compensation -- Funds. --

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(a) There is created within the department of health the Rhode Island board of examiners in

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dentistry, which is composed of the following members:

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      (1) Six (6) licensed dentists;

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      (2) Four (4) public members not associated with the dental field;

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      (3) Two (2) licensed dental hygienists; and

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      (4) The chief of the office of dental public health, who serves as a member of the board

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and one certified dental assistant.

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      (b) The governor shall appoint the members of the board, except that prior to appointing

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the six (6) dentist members the governor may submit a list of all candidates to the appropriate

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dental societies for comments as to their qualifications. No member shall be appointed for more

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than two (2) consecutive full terms. A member appointed for less than a full term (originally or to

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fill a vacancy) may serve two (2) full terms in addition to that part of a full term, and a former

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member is again eligible for appointment after a lapse of one or more years. All subsequent

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appointments to the board shall be for a term of three (3) years. Any member of the board may be

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removed by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct, malfeasance, or misfeasance in office

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after being given a written statement of the charges against him or her and sufficient opportunity

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to be heard on the charges. The board shall elect from its members a chairperson who shall be a

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dentist duly licensed under the laws of the state of Rhode Island, and a vice-chairperson who shall

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in the absence of the chairperson exercise all powers of the chairperson, and secretary, who serve

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for one year or until their successors are appointed and qualified. The board shall meet at least

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once a month or more often upon the call of the chairperson, director of health or dental

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administrator, at any times and places that the chairperson designates.

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      (c) Members of the board shall not be paid for the discharge of official duties.

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      (d) The administration of the board shall be funded from annual fees. The director shall

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in consultation with the board determine the amount of the annual fee to be charged to each

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licensed dentist and dental hygienist, the payment of which is a condition to practicing dentistry

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or dental hygiene in the state. The director or the dental administrator has the authority to suspend

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or revoke the license of any dentist or dental hygienist who does not pay the annual fee. Monies

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shall be received by the department and deposited in the general fund as general revenues.

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     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 add one certified dental assistant to the Rhode Island Board of Examiners

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in Dentistry.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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