Bill Summary for S 146 (2021-2022)

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Summary date: 

Jul 14 2021

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2021
Senate Bill 146 (Public) Filed Wednesday, February 24, 2021
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF TELEDENTISTRY, TO AUTHORIZE PROPERLY TRAINED DENTAL HYGIENISTS TO ADMINISTER LOCAL DENTAL ANESTHETICS UNDER DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED DENTIST, TO ALLOW CERTAIN DENTAL HYGIENISTS GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO PRACTICE WITHOUT SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED DENTIST, TO ALLOW LICENSURE BY CREDENTIAL FOR CERTAIN INSTRUCTORS, AND TO ENABLE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ECU SCHOOL OF DENTAL MEDICINE TO SERVE ON THE NC CARING DENTAL PROFESSIONALS BOARD.
Intro. by Perry.

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Bill summary

House committee substitute amends the 2nd edition as follows.

Makes technical corrections to proposed GS 90-225.2 to now refer to the UNC Adams School of Dentistry (was, the UNC School of Dentistry) and the Commission on Dental Accreditation (was, the Council on Dental Accreditation). 

Further amends GS 90-233, which governs the practice of dental hygiene, as follows. Specifies that the provision allowing a dental hygienist to practice only under the supervision of one or more licensed dentists is deemed to be complied with when a dental hygienist is employed by or under contract with a federally qualified health center and trained as a public health hygienist, while performing their duties for the persons officially served by the federally qualified health center under the direction of a duly licensed dentist employed by that program or by the Oral Health Section of the Department of Health and Human Services. Replaces all references to the Dental Heath Section with the Oral Health Section. Expands the conditions in which certain described dental hygienists meeting specified experience requirements can perform dental hygiene functions without a licensed dentist physically present, to require that the dental hygiene functions performed be under the direction of a dentist based on a written standing order, rather than an in-person evaluation by the dentist. Also amends some of the conditions that must be met in order for such hygienists to perform dental hygienist functions without a licensed dentist being physically present, as follows: (1) requires that the dental hygiene functions directed to be performed be conducted within 270 days of the dentist's standing order (was, within 120 days of the dentist's evaluation); (2) requires that the services be performed in a federally qualified health center (or in one of the seven categories of already identified facilities); (3) requires a licensed dentist be available to provide appropriate follow-up care as necessary; and (4) removes the requirement that the licensed dentist have personally conducted an evaluation of the patient including specified actions including a specific written treatment plan. Allows dental hygienists performing procedures without a licensed dentist physically present to supervise a Dental Assistant who assists the hygienist in clinical procedures and is classified as a Dental Assistant II or permitted to perform functions as a Dental Assistant II. Makes further technical corrections. 

Adds the following content.

Amends GS 90-36 to require the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners to issue a license by credential to any dentist who applies for a such a license, and possesses good moral character and who (1) holds a current Instructor's License or (2) has graduated with a general dental degree from any school or college and has graduated from an advanced dental education program with either a certificate or a degree from a school or college accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the Board. Sets out additional requirements that must be met for applicants who are applying based on the educational requirements in (2). 

Amends GS 90-48.2, which allows the State Board of Dental Examiners to enter into agreements with special impaired dentist peer review organizations formed by the North Carolina Dental Society. Amends the organizations included to now refer to the UNC Adams School of Dentistry (was, the Dental School of UNC) and to add the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine. Makes the same changes to the organizations that make up special impaired dentist peer review organizations' statewide supervisory committee.

Makes conforming organizational changes.

Amends the act's long title.