Legislature(2005 - 2006)CAPITOL 17
04/01/2005 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB211 | |
| HB216 | |
| HB180 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 211 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 216 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 227 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | HB 180 | ||
HB 211-DENTISTS; HYGIENISTS; BD OF DENTAL EXAM.
CHAIR ANDERSON announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 211, "An Act extending the termination date of
the Board of Dental Examiners; and relating to dentists and
dental hygienists."
HEATH HILYARD, Staff of Representative Mike Kelly, Alaska State
Legislature, stated that this bill is basically an extension of
the Board of Dental Examiners to 2011. Mr. Hilyard related that
some of the provisions in this legislation are the result of a
Legislative Audit Division audit and others are the result of a
2004 meeting in which the Division of Occupational Licensing,
the Board of Dental Examiners, and the Alaska Dental Society.
He emphasized that first and foremost, the legislation
implements continuing education requirements for dental
hygienists, modifies the inspection period for radiological
equipment used in dentistry, and clarifies the qualifications
for licensure and specialty licensure in the state. Mr. Hilyard
informed the committee that at this time the sponsor and the
Alaska Dental Society have no knowledge of anyone opposing the
proposed changes.
3:44:36 PM
JIM TOWLE, Executive Director, Alaska Dental Society, informed
the committee that the Alaska Dental Hygiene Association was
part of the meetings and negotiations referred to earlier.
3:45:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG requested that Mr. Towle describe the
changes to statute encompassed in HB 211.
3:45:34 PM
MR. TOWLE stated that his understanding that the change from 14
weekly hours to 700 hours a year, which equate to roughly the
same amount of time, makes sure that clinicians are not taking
long breaks in the treatment of patients. Therefore, their
clinical skills remain up to the same level as they were when
obtaining a license. The continuing education provision is what
is required of dentists and is applied to dental hygienists in
HB 211.
3:46:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG referring to page 2, line 5,
[paragraph] 6, asked if the Board of Alaskan Dentists, the
American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and
the American Dental Hygienists Association have uniform
standards or do they compete with one another.
3:47:20 PM
MR. TOWLE answered that the American Dental Association and the
Academy of General Dentistry have comparable standards. Since
this legislation is focused on hygienists, deference was given
to the American Hygiene Association because this is changing
licensure by credentials in AS 08.32, which governs hygiene.
Therefore, hygienists would have the same standards as dentists.
3:48:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG asked if there are similar
organizations to those already listed that have different
standards.
3:48:56 PM
MR. TOWLE answered, "Not that are national in scope."
3:49:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG asked, referring to page [4], line 5,
and subparagraph (H), whether a person can be convicted of a
crime that's a serious felony that could be outside of the
aforementioned definition.
3:50:20 PM
MR. TOWLE indicated that the thinking and rationale was if one
is convicted of a traffic offense, for example, it shouldn't
preclude one from the practice of dentistry.
3:51:07 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON asked if a driving under the influence offense
would result in a dentist's license being pulled based on
subparagraph (H).
3:51:18 PM
MR. TOWLE said he couldn't answer that question. He didn't
believe that currently the license could be revoked in such a
situation. However, he opined that there might be some question
as whether the individual has a drinking problem that would
impair his or her ability to practice dentistry.
3:51:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD asked posed a scenario in which someone
had been convicted of fraud in billing practices and had
unlawfully billed Medicaid, and asked if that would impact the
ability to practice dentistry.
3:52:21 PM
MR. TOWLE answered that it wouldn't compromise the individual's
clinical practices. Being convicted of Medicaid fraud and the
state took action, the Dental Society [doesn't hold the view]
that an individual in such a situation should lose his or her
ability to be a dentist. He suggested that perhaps that's
something the Division of Occupational Licensing should address.
3:53:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG interjected that the aforementioned is
covered in subparagraph (F).
3:53:57 PM
PAT DAVIDSON, Legislator Auditor, Legislative Audit Division,
Alaska State Legislature, answered that she had not studied the
issue presently being discussed. However, as a result of the
audit, the division recommends a six-year extension due to the
fact that the division found the board is operating in the
public's interest. The audit makes no recommendations for
improvements. Additionally, since an abnormally high amount of
boards and commissions are facing sunset this year, the division
is recommending longer extensions to smooth this out in order to
avoid consideration of so many boards in a given year.
3:55:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG, referring to page 2, asked if the
decision to change the dental radiological equipment inspection
rate from five to six years was a recommendation of the audit.
3:55:27 PM
MS. DAVIDSON answered that only the extension date was a result
of the audit.
3:56:10 PM
MR. HILYARD stated that his understanding that the change was
[the result] of the meeting [of the Alaska Dental Society], and
was a function of convenience for the period of inspection.
3:56:41 PM
MR. TOWLE explained that the existing inspection system is
working. When this [language] was originally created, the
intent was to mandate an inspection once every five years. The
key change [desired by the Alaska Dental Society] is the
changing of the ["fourth" to "fifth"] so that the office is
inspected within five calendar years after the year of
inspection.
3:59:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG said that this cleared things up.
3:59:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG moved to report HB 211 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
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