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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
dental board; continuation
Purpose
Continues the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners (BODEX) for six years.
Background
BODEX is the
regulatory body that oversees the licensing and practice of dental care in
Arizona. BODEX's duties include: 1) adopting and enforcing rules to regulate
the practice of dentists, supervised personnel and registered business
entities; 2) maintaining a record of BODEX's acts and proceedings, including
issuance, denial, renewal and suspension of licenses and complaints; 3)
establishing a standard of educational requirements, as prescribed;
4) determining the reputability of dental, dental therapy and dental hygiene
schools; 5) issuing licenses and restricted permits to eligible persons; 6)
investigating misconduct charges of licensees and those with restricted
permits; 7) issuing disciplinary action against licensees, certificate holders
and restricted permittees; 8) establishing criteria for the renewal of permits
relating to general anesthesia and sedation; and 9) any other duties necessary
to enforce the regulation of the dental profession (A.R.S.
§ 32-1207).
BODEX consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor, including: 1) 6 licensed dentists; 2) 2 dental hygienists; 3) 2 public members; and 4) 1 business entity. Members are limited to two consecutive four-year terms. Before appointment, a prospective member of BODEX must submit a full set of fingerprints to the Governor to obtain a state and federal criminal records check (A.R.S. § 32-1203).
The Senate and House of Representatives Health and Human Services Joint Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting on January 17, 2025, to review the Auditor General's performance audit and sunset review 24-month follow up, consider BODEX's responses to the statutorily outlined sunset review factors and receive public testimony. The COR recommended that BODEX be continued for six years until July 1, 2031 (COR Minutes). BODEX is set to terminate on July 1, 2025, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. § 41-3025.09).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2025, BODEX until July 1, 2031.
2. Repeals BODEX on January 1, 2032.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
House Action
HHS 2/13/25 DP 12-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/26/25 50-8-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 22, 2025
MM/AO/slp