Chapter 172

2013 -- S 0539 SUBSTITUTE B

Enacted 07/11/13

 

A N A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DENTISTS AND DENTAL

HYGIENISTS

          

     Introduced By: Senators Lynch, and McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

 

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, which is composed of the following members:

      (1) Six (6) Eight (8) licensed dentists;, no more than three (3) shall be dental specialists

as recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA);

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

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

      (4) The chief of the office of dental public health, who shall serves serve as a 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 six (6) 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 board shall elect director of the department

of health shall appoint from its 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 administration of the board shall be funded from annual fees. The director shall

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

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

or dental hygiene in the state. The director or the dental administrator 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. Section 5-31.1-30 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-31.1 entitled "Dentists

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

 

     5-31.1-30. Licensure required -- Dental assistants excepted. -- No person shall

perform any act, which constitutes the practice of dentistry in this state, unless that person is

licensed under the provisions of this chapter as a dentist or a dental hygienist, or unless that

person performs limited auxiliary dental services, procedures, and duties as a dental assistant as

provided by this chapter. The board of examiners in dentistry shall develop rules and procedures

to implement a listing of all dental assistants practicing in the state.

 

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01492/SUB B

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