HB 322: Ga. Board of Dentistry; issuance of a dental or dental hygiene license for the sole purpose of teaching in an accredited dental, dental hygiene school, or academic medical center; revise provisions

House Bill 322 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Stephens of the 164th, Dempsey of the 13th, Hatchett of the 155th, Gambill of the 15th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Chapter 11 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, so as to revise provisions regarding the Georgia Board of Dentistry issuance of a dental license for the sole purpose of teaching or instructing in an accredited dental school or academic medical center in this state; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Chapter 11 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, is amended by revising subsections (a.1) through (e) of and adding a new subsection to Code Section 43-11-42, relating to reciprocity and criminal background check, to read as follows:

"(a.1)(1) The board may issue, in its discretion, without examination, a teacher's or instructor's license to a dentist who has graduated from a school, college, or advanced dental education program approved by the board and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA) or its successor agency, if any, for the sole purpose of teaching or instructing, in an accredited dental college, advanced dental education program, or training clinic in this state, those procedures and services recognized in this state to be within the scope of practice of such person's professional license. Those applicants who have received a doctoral degree in dentistry from a dental school not so accredited must comply with the following requirements in order to submit an application for licensure such teacher's or instructor's license: (A)(i) Successful completion at an accredited dental school approved by the board of the last two years of a program leading to the doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.) or doctor of dental medicine (D.M.D.) degree; or

(ii) Successful completion at an accredited dental school or college approved by the board of at least a two-year advanced education program in one of the dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) or in an advanced dental education program in general dentistry; or

(iii) Successful completion of at least two one-year advanced dental education programs in general dentistry at an accredited dental school or college approved by the board; or

(iv) Successful completion of a one-year program in operative dentistry at a dental school or college approved by the board and a one-year advanced dental education program in general dentistry at an accredited dental school or college approved by the board; and

(B) Certification by the dean of the accredited dental school where such supplementary program was taken that the candidate has achieved the same level of didactic and clinical competency as expected of a graduate of the school receiving a doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.) or doctor of dental medicine (D.M.D.) degree.

(A) The applicant is or has been licensed to practice dentistry in another state, country, or territory;

(B) The applicant shall submit a letter of recommendation from the dean or director of the teaching institution at which he or she is seeking employment along with verification of an executed employment offer for the full-time or part-time position that the applicant is applying to fill. Such recommendation shall verify that the applicant has met or been approved under the credentialing standards of a dental school or an academic medical center with which the person is to be affiliated; such dental school or academic medical center shall be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or The Joint Commission;

(C) The applicant has never failed the Georgia dental licensure examination;

(D) The applicant has never had a dental license revoked in this state or another state, country, or territory; and

(E) The applicant shall have a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.

(2) The board may establish by rule or regulation the requirements for documentation of an applicant's educational and personal qualifications for licensure under this subsection.

(3) In order to be granted a license under this subsection, all applicants must shall pass a jurisprudence examination on the laws of this state and rules and regulations as they relate to the practice of dentistry as established or approved by the board, which shall be administered in the English language.

(b) Any license issued under subsection (a.1) of this Code section authorizes the licensee to practice dentistry only while engaged in the performance of the licensee's duties as an employee of the accredited school or college or only in connection with programs or training clinics affiliated with or endorsed by such school or college. Such licensee shall not practice dentistry with such license outside of such authorization. (b)(c) The board may issue, in its discretion, without examination, a license to dentists for the sole purpose of practicing public health dentistry in an official state or a local health department or to render dental services to patients in state operated eleemosynary or correctional institutions, provided that these dentists possess a license in another state, are in good standing in said state, and have graduated from an accredited dental college. Such license shall be considered to be a temporary license which shall be valid for a period to be established by board rule.

(c)(d) The cost of such teacher's, instructor's, or temporary public health license shall be established by the board.

(d)(e) Any license issued or considered for issuance under this Code section shall be subject to the provisions set forth in Code Section 43-11-47. (e)(f) Application for a license under this Code section shall constitute consent for performance of a criminal background check. Each applicant who submits an application to the board for licensure agrees to provide the board with any and all information necessary to run a criminal background check, including but not limited to classifiable sets of fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with the performance of a background check."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.