Legislature(2007 - 2008)CAPITOL 17
03/03/2008 03:00 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB357 | |
| HB319 | |
| HB357 | |
| HB319 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 319 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 357 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 319-DENTISTS & DENTAL ASSISTANTS 3:57:47 PM CHAIR OLSON announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 319, "An Act relating to the practice of dentistry and to dental assistants." [Before the committee was CSHB 319(HES).] 3:58:02 PM PATTY KRUEGER, Staff, to Representative Jay Ramras, Alaska State Legislature, explained that not all Alaskans enjoy good dental health due to geographical barriers, cost of dental care, and limitations on dental personnel. She explained provisions in HB 36 are already in place in 36 states, and stated that allowing expanded duties for dental assistants improves access to dental care and reduce the cost of dental care. With expanded duties, dental assistants can help community health centers and traveling dental teams provide greater access to care and more cost effective care. This bill specifically laid framework for expanding dental assistant's duties for two specific procedures. It would allow a certified dental assistant, under a dentist's direct supervision, to place "fillings" into a cavity prepared by a licensed dentist and to polish teeth that are already clean of tartar. Dental assistants are not currently regulated by the state. Under HB 319, dental assistants who perform duties of packing cavities or polishing teeth would need to pass a training program and exam to become certified by the state's Board of Dental Examiners. The supervising dentist must personally authorize the procedures and examine the quality of work performed by the dental assistant. This bill would authorize the board to set minimum standards. The Alaska Dental Society, the Alaska Board of Dental Examiners, the Alaska Dental Outreach Consortium, and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium all support HB 319. This bill also fits within the recommendations in the preliminary report by the governor's Health Care Strategy Planning Council such that it provides increased access to health care. The committee substitute incorporates changes detailed in a memorandum from Kathryn L. Kurtz, Assistant Revisor, Division of Legal and Research Services, dated February 13, 2008. 4:01:04 PM REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS) for HB 319, labeled 25-LS1281\V, Bullard, 2/19/08, as the working document. There being no objection, Version V was before the committee. REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN referred to page 1, line 13, which read: "(c) The board may by regulation establish fees, renewal, and continuing education requirements for a certificate issued under this section." He inquired as to the level of fees being considered. DAVID LOGAN, DDS, Legislative Chair, Alaska Dental Society, stated that the provision for fees would probably not cover all the costs. He related that similar to the hygienist, the fees are set at approximately $50, which covers most of the administrative costs to issue their certificate. However, any additional costs would be passed on to the licensees. In further response to Representative Neuman, Dr. Logan explained that the Board of Dental Examiners would have the discretion to set the fees and standards. REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN commented that he appreciates that the Alaska Dental Society supports the concept of allowing dental assistants do more procedures. He related his own experiences that dentists in many clinics held in rural areas are overwhelmed by the community needs just to provide basic care. REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER characterized HB 319 as a great bill. 4:06:26 PM DAVID EICHLER, DMD; President, Board of Dental Examiners, Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development (DCCED) stated that Board of Dental examiners unanimously approved and supported the concepts. The fee structure is set by the department to generally cover administrative functions of the board. He urged the committee to support HB 319. PETER HIGGINS, President, Alaska Dental Society, stated that he is glad to see HB 319 moving forward. MELODY WHITLACK said that she has worked as a dental assistant with expanded functions. Currently, she is a dental hygienist and is looking forward to HB 319 moving forward. She characterized HB 319 as "great for the dental community." 4:08:30 PM CHAIR OLSON, after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 319. 4:08:43 PM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER moved to report the proposed CS for HB 319, labeled 25-LS1281\V, Bullard, 2/19/08, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, the CSHB 319(L&C) was reported out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
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