HCS SS SS SCS SB 1122 -- DENTISTRY

SPONSOR:  Shields (Behnen)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 13 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding the practice of
dentistry and the powers of the Missouri State Dental Board.  The
substitute:

(1)  Gives the board authority to issue and enforce subpoenas;

(2)  Allows the board to investigate any person licensed to
practice dentistry or any entity permitted to provide dental
services in the state;

(3)  Expands the practice of dentistry to include persons
attempting to control or influence a dentist's independent
professional judgment regarding diagnosis and treatment.
Exemptions are provided for certain licensed health care
professionals;

(4)  Allows dental hygienist students and certain persons
practicing dentistry in federally qualified health and homeless
centers to provide services without a license;

(5)  Allows certain not-for-profit corporations to provide dental
services if the corporation employs persons licensed in this
state and serves certain low-income populations;

(6)  Lists the not-for-profit organizations and corporations
which are exempted from the income restrictions;

(7)  Requires not-for-profit corporations to obtain a permit from
the board.  Not-for-profit corporations will be subject to
discipline in the same manner as any other licensee of the board;

(8)  Exempts Federally Qualified Health Centers from the permit
process but requires them to register with the board.  The
registration is not subject to discipline, but licensees are
subject to discipline by the board for actions taken while
working at the centers; and

(9)  Makes it a cause for discipline when a licensed physical
therapist practices independent of the prescription and direction
of a physician, dentist, or podiatrist licensed in another state.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2005, FY 2006, and
FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that it is very important for
children to receive dental care.  There is a large number of
children in this state on Medicaid, and most dentists don't
accept Medicaid patients.  The bill allows not-for-profit
corporations to employ dentists and dental hygienists without
being burdened with the restrictions placed on them by the
Missouri State Dental Board.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Shields; Missouri Dental
Association; Missouri State Dental Board; Missouri Primary Care
Association; Truman Medical Center; Missouri Hospital
Association; Missouri Association of Health Plans; and Delta
Dental Plan of Missouri.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say county health
departments should be included with the exemptions.

Others testifying on the bill was Missouri Association of Public
Health Departments.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:16 am