PREFILED    DEC 19 2023

REFERENCE TITLE: dental board; licensure; testing

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

 

 

 

HB 2072

 

Introduced by

Representative Bliss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Act

 

amending sections 32-1236, 32-1276.02, 32-1281, 32-1287 and 32-1297.06, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to the Arizona state board of dental examiners.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 32-1236, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1236. Dentist triennial licensure; continuing education; license reinstatement; license for each place of practice; notice of change of address or place of practice; retired and disabled license status; penalties

A. Except as provided in section 32-4301, a license expires thirty days after the licensee's birth month every third year.  On or before the last day of the licensee's birth month every third year, every licensed dentist shall submit to the board a complete renewal application and pay a license renewal fee of not more than $650, established by a formal vote of the board.  At least once every three years, before establishing the fee, the board shall review the amount of the fee in a public meeting.  Any change in the amount of the fee shall be applied prospectively to a licensee at the time of licensure renewal.  The fee prescribed by this subsection does not apply to a retired dentist or to a dentist with a disability.

B. A licensee shall include a written affidavit with the renewal application that affirms that the licensee complies with board rules relating to continuing education requirements.  A licensee is not required to complete the written affidavit if the licensee received an initial license within the year immediately preceding the expiration date of the license or the licensee is in disabled status.  If the licensee is not in compliance with board rules relating to continuing education, the board may grant an extension of time to complete these requirements if the licensee includes a written request for an extension with the renewal application instead of the written affidavit and the renewal application is received on or before the last day of the licensee's birth month of the expiration year. The board shall consider the extension request based on criteria prescribed by the board by rule. If the board denies an extension request, the license expires thirty days after the licensee's birth month.

C. A person applying for licensure for the first time in this state shall pay a prorated fee for the period remaining until the licensee's next birth month. This fee shall not exceed one-third of the fee established pursuant to subsection A of this section. Subsequent licensure renewal shall be conducted pursuant to this section.

D. An expired license may be reinstated by submitting a complete renewal application within the twenty-four-month twelve-month period immediately following the expiration of the license with payment of the renewal fee and a $100 penalty.  Whenever issued, reinstatement is as of the date of application and entitles the applicant to licensure only for the remainder of the applicable three-year period.  If a person does not reinstate a license pursuant to this subsection, the person must reapply for licensure pursuant to this chapter.

E. Each licensee must provide to the board in writing both of the following:

1. A primary mailing address.

2. The address for each place of practice.

F. A licensee maintaining more than one place of practice shall obtain from the board a duplicate license for each office.  A fee set by the board shall be charged for each duplicate license. The licensee shall notify the board in writing within ten days after opening the additional place or places of practice.  The board shall impose a penalty of $50 for failure to notify the board.

G. A licensee who is fully retired and a licensee who has a permanent disability may contribute services to a recognized charitable institution and still retain that classification for triennial registration purposes on payment of a reduced renewal fee as prescribed by the board by rule.

H. A licensee applying for retired or disabled status shall:

1. Relinquish any prescribing privileges and shall attest by affidavit that the licensee has surrendered to the United States drug enforcement administration any registration issued pursuant to the federal controlled substances act and has surrendered to the board any registration issued pursuant to section 36-2606.

2. If the licensee holds a permit to dispense drugs and devices pursuant to section 32-1298, surrender that permit to the board.

3. Attest by affidavit that the licensee is not currently engaged in the practice of dentistry.

I. A licensee who changes the licensee's primary mailing address or place of practice address shall notify the board of that change in writing within ten days.  The board shall impose a penalty of $50 if a licensee fails to notify the board of the change within that time.  The board shall increase the penalty imposed to $100 if a licensee fails to notify it of the change within thirty days. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 32-1276.02, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1276.02. Dental therapist triennial licensure; continuing education; license renewal and reinstatement; fees; civil penalties; retired and disabled license status

A. Except as provided in section 32-4301, a license issued under this article expires thirty days after the licensee's birth month every third year.  On or before the last day of the licensee's birth month every third year, each licensed dental therapist shall submit to the board a complete renewal application and pay a license renewal fee established by a formal vote of the board.  At least once every three years, before establishing the fee, the board shall review the amount of the fee in a public meeting.  Any change in the amount of the fee shall be applied prospectively to a licensee at the time of licensure renewal.  The fee prescribed by this subsection does not apply to a retired dental therapist or to a dental therapist with a disability.

B. A licensee shall include a written affidavit with the renewal application that affirms that the licensee complies with board rules relating to continuing education requirements.  A licensee is not required to complete the written affidavit if the licensee received an initial license within the year immediately preceding the expiration date of the license or the licensee is in disabled status.  If the licensee is not in compliance with board rules relating to continuing education, the board may grant an extension of time to complete these requirements if the licensee includes a written request for an extension with the renewal application instead of the written affidavit and the renewal application is received on or before the last day of the licensee's birth month of the expiration year. The board shall consider the extension request based on criteria prescribed by the board by rule.  If the board denies an extension request, the license expires thirty days after the licensee's birth month of the expiration year.

C. An applicant for a dental therapy license for the first time in this state shall pay a prorated fee for the period remaining until the licensee's next birthday. This fee may not exceed one-third of the fee prescribed pursuant to subsection A of this section. Subsequent applications shall be conducted pursuant to this section.

D. An expired license may be reinstated by submitting a complete renewal application within the twenty-four-month twelve-month period immediately following the expiration of the license with payment of the renewal fee and a $100 penalty. When the license is issued, reinstatement is as of the date of application and entitles the applicant to licensure only for the remainder of the applicable three-year period.  If a person does not reinstate a license pursuant to this subsection, the person must reapply for licensure pursuant to this article.

E. A licensee shall notify the board in writing within ten days after the licensee changes the primary mailing address listed with the board. The board shall impose a civil penalty of $50 if a licensee fails to notify the board of the change within that time. The board shall increase the civil penalty to $100 if a licensee fails to notify the board of the change within thirty days.

F. A licensee who is at least sixty-five years of age and who is fully retired and a licensee who has a permanent disability may contribute services to a recognized charitable institution and still retain that classification for triennial registration purposes by paying a reduced renewal fee as prescribed by the board by rule.

G. A licensee is not required to maintain a dental hygienist license. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Section 32-1281, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1281. Practicing as dental hygienist; supervision requirements; definitions

A. A person is deemed to be practicing as a dental hygienist if the person does any of the acts or performs any of the operations included in the general practice of dental hygienists, dental hygiene and all related and associated duties.

B. A licensed dental hygienist may perform the following:

1. Prophylaxis.

2. Scaling.

3. Closed subgingival curettage.

4. Root planing.

5. Administering local anesthetics and nitrous oxide.

6. Inspecting the oral cavity and surrounding structures for the purposes of gathering clinical data to facilitate a diagnosis.

7. Periodontal screening or assessment.

8. Recording clinical findings.

9. Compiling case histories.

10. Exposing and processing dental radiographs.

11. Dental hygiene assessment and dental hygiene treatment planning as components of a diagnosis and treatment plan developed by a dentist.

12. All functions authorized and deemed appropriate for dental assistants.

13. Except as provided in paragraph 14 of this subsection, those restorative functions permissible for an expanded function dental assistant if qualified pursuant to section 32-1291.01.

14. Placing interim therapeutic restorations after successfully completing a course at an institution accredited by the commission on dental accreditation of the American dental association.

C. The board by rule shall prescribe the circumstances under which a licensed dental hygienist may:

1. Apply preventive and therapeutic agents to the hard and soft tissues.

2. Use emerging scientific technology and prescribe the necessary training, experience and supervision to operate newly developed scientific technology. A dentist who supervises a dental hygienist whose duties include the use of emerging scientific technology must have training on using the emerging technology that is equal to or greater than the training the dental hygienist is required to obtain.

3. Perform other procedures not specifically authorized by this section.

D. Except as provided in subsections E, F and I of this section, a dental hygienist shall practice under the general supervision of a dentist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter.

E. A dental hygienist may practice under the general supervision of a physician who is licensed pursuant to chapter 13 or 17 of this title in an inpatient hospital setting.

F. A dental hygienist may perform the following procedures on meeting the following criteria and under the following conditions:

1. Administering local anesthetics under the direct supervision of a dentist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter after:

(a) The dental hygienist successfully completes a course in administering local anesthetics that includes didactic and clinical components in both block and infiltration techniques offered by a dental or dental hygiene program accredited by the commission on dental accreditation of the American dental association.

(b) The dental hygienist successfully completes an examination in local anesthesia given by the western regional examining board or a written and clinical examination of another a state or regional examination that is substantially equivalent to the requirements of this state, as determined by the board testing agency in the United States.

(c) The board issues to the dental hygienist a local anesthesia certificate on receipt of proof that the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) of this paragraph have been met.

2. Administering local anesthetics under general supervision to a patient of record if all of the following are true:

(a) The dental hygienist holds a local anesthesia certificate issued by the board.

(b) The patient is at least eighteen years of age.

(c) The patient has been examined by a dentist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter within the previous twelve months.

(d) There has been no change in the patient's medical history since the last examination.  If there has been a change in the patient's medical history within that time, the dental hygienist must consult with the dentist before administering local anesthetics.

(e) The supervising dentist who performed the examination has approved the patient for being administered local anesthetics by the dental hygienist under general supervision and has documented this approval in the patient's record.

3. Administering nitrous oxide analgesia under the direct supervision of a dentist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter after:

(a) The dental hygienist successfully completes a course in administering nitrous oxide analgesia that includes didactic and clinical components offered by a dental or dental hygiene program accredited by the commission on dental accreditation of the American dental association.

(b) The board issues to the dental hygienist a nitrous oxide analgesia certificate on receipt of proof that the requirements of subdivision (a) of this paragraph have been met.

G. The board may issue local anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia certificates to a licensed dental hygienist on receipt of evidence satisfactory to the board that the dental hygienist holds a valid certificate or credential in good standing in the respective procedure issued by a licensing board of another jurisdiction of the United States.

H. A dental hygienist may perform dental hygiene procedures in the following settings:

1. On a patient of record of a dentist within that dentist's office.

2. Except as prescribed in section 32-1289.01, in a health care facility, long-term care facility, public health agency or institution, public or private school or homebound setting on patients who have been examined by a dentist within the previous year.

3. In an inpatient hospital setting pursuant to subsection E of this section.

I. A dental hygienist may provide dental hygiene services under an affiliated practice relationship with a dentist as prescribed in section 32-1289.01.

J. For the purposes of this article:

1. "Assessment" means a limited, clinical inspection that is performed to identify possible signs of oral or systemic disease, malformation or injury and the potential need for referral for diagnosis and treatment, and may include collecting clinical information to facilitate an examination, diagnosis and treatment plan by a dentist.

2. "Dental hygiene assessment" means identifying the identification of an existing or potential oral health problem that dental hygienists are educationally qualified and licensed to treat.

3. "Dental hygiene treatment planning" means performing a prioritized sequence of dental hygiene interventions that is predicated on the dental hygiene assessment and that is limited to those services included in the scope of practice for dental hygienists.

4. "Direct supervision" means that the dentist is present in the office while the dental hygienist is treating a patient and is available for consultation regarding procedures that the dentist authorizes and for which the dentist is responsible.

5. "General supervision" means:

(a) That the dentist is available for consultation, whether or not the dentist is in the dentist's office, over procedures that the dentist has authorized and for which the dentist remains responsible.

(b) With respect to an inpatient hospital setting, that a physician who is licensed pursuant to chapter 13 or 17 of this title is available for consultation, whether or not the physician is physically present at the hospital.

6. "Interim therapeutic restoration" means a provisional restoration that is placed to stabilize a primary or permanent tooth and that consists of removing soft material from the tooth using only hand instrumentation, without using rotary instrumentation, and subsequently placing an adhesive restorative material.

7. "Screening" means determining an individual's need to be seen by a dentist for diagnosis and does not include an examination, diagnosis or treatment planning. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4. Section 32-1287, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1287. Dental hygienist triennial licensure; continuing education; license reinstatement; notice of change of address; penalties; retired and disabled license status

A. Except as provided in section 32-4301, a license expires thirty days after the licensee's birth month every third year.  On or before the last day of the licensee's birth month every third year, every licensed dental hygienist shall submit to the board a complete renewal application and pay a license renewal fee of not more than $325, established by a formal vote of the board.  At least once every three years, before establishing the fee, the board shall review the amount of the fee in a public meeting.  Any change in the amount of the fee shall be applied prospectively to a licensee at the time of licensure renewal.  The fee prescribed by this section does not apply to a retired hygienist or a hygienist with a disability.

B. A licensee shall include a written affidavit with the renewal application that affirms that the licensee complies with board rules relating to continuing education requirements.  A licensee is not required to complete the written affidavit if the licensee received an initial license within the year immediately preceding the expiration date of the license or the licensee is in disabled status.  If the licensee is not in compliance with board rules relating to continuing education, the board may grant an extension of time to complete these requirements if the licensee includes a written request for an extension with the renewal application instead of the written affidavit and the renewal application is received on or before the last day of the licensee's birth month of the expiration year. The board shall consider the extension request based on criteria prescribed by the board by rule. If the board denies an extension request, the license expires thirty days after the licensee's birth month of the expiration year.

C. A person applying for a license for the first time in this state shall pay a prorated fee for the period remaining until the licensee's next birth month. This fee shall not exceed one-third of the fee established pursuant to subsection A of this section. Subsequent registrations shall be conducted pursuant to this section.

D. An expired license may be reinstated by submitting a complete renewal application within the twenty-four-month twelve-month period immediately following the expiration of the license with payment of the renewal fee and a $100 penalty.  Whenever issued, reinstatement is as of the date of application and entitles the applicant to licensure only for the remainder of the applicable three-year period.  If a person does not reinstate a license pursuant to this subsection, the person must reapply for licensure pursuant to this chapter.

E. A licensee shall notify the board in writing within ten days after the licensee changes the primary mailing address listed with the board.  The board shall impose a penalty of $50 if a licensee fails to notify the board of the change within that time. The board shall increase the penalty imposed to $100 if a licensee fails to notify it of the change within thirty days.

F. A licensee who is over sixty-five years of age and who is fully retired and a licensee who has a permanent disability may contribute services to a recognized charitable institution and still retain that classification for triennial registration purposes on payment of a reduced renewal fee as prescribed by the board by rule. END_STATUTE

Sec. 5. Section 32-1297.06, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE32-1297.06. Denturist certification; continuing education; certificate reinstatement; certificate for each place of practice; notice of change of address or place of practice; penalties

A. Except as provided in section 32-4301, a certification expires thirty days after the certificate holder's birth month every third year. On or before the last day of the certificate holder's birth month every third year, every certified denturist shall submit to the board a complete renewal application and shall pay a certificate renewal fee of not more than $300, established by a formal vote of the board.  At least once every three years, before establishing the fee, the board shall review the amount of the fee in a public meeting. Any change in the amount of the fee shall be applied prospectively to a certificate holder at the time of certification renewal. This requirement does not apply to a retired denturist or to a denturist with a disability.

B. A certificate holder shall include a written affidavit with the renewal application that affirms that the certificate holder complies with board rules relating to continuing education requirements. A certificate holder is not required to complete the written affidavit if the certificate holder received an initial certification within the year immediately preceding the expiration date of the certificate or the certificate holder is in disabled status. If the certificate holder is not in compliance with board rules relating to continuing education, the board may grant an extension of time to complete these requirements if the certificate holder includes a written request for an extension with the renewal application instead of the written affidavit and the renewal application is received on or before the last day of the certificate holder's birth month of the expiration year. The board shall consider the extension request based on criteria prescribed by the board by rule. If the board denies an extension request, the certificate expires thirty days after the certificate holder's birth month of the expiration year.

C. A person applying for a certificate for the first time in this state shall pay a prorated fee for the period remaining until the certificate holder's next birth month. This fee shall not exceed one-third of the fee established pursuant to subsection A of this section.  Subsequent certifications shall be conducted pursuant to this section.

D. An expired certificate may be reinstated by submitting a complete renewal application within the twenty-four-month twelve-month period immediately following the expiration of the certificate with payment of the renewal fee and a $100 penalty. Whenever issued, reinstatement is as of the date of application and entitles the applicant to certification only for the remainder of the applicable three-year period. If a person does not reinstate a certificate pursuant to this subsection, the person must reapply for certification pursuant to this chapter.

E. Each certificate holder must provide to the board in writing both of the following:

1. A primary mailing address.

2. The address for each place of practice.

F. A certificate holder maintaining more than one place of practice shall obtain from the board a duplicate certificate for each office. The board shall set and charge a fee for each duplicate certificate. A certificate holder shall notify the board in writing within ten days after opening an additional place of practice.

G. A certificate holder shall notify the board in writing within ten days after changing a primary mailing address or place of practice address listed with the board. The board shall impose a $50 penalty if a certificate holder fails to notify the board of the change within that time. The board shall increase the penalty imposed to $100 if a certificate holder fails to notify it of the change within thirty days.END_STATUTE