An Act To Require Dental Professionals To Provide Education to the Public on Oral Hygiene

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  it is important immediately to establish public education on good oral hygiene; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §1073-A  is enacted to read:

§ 1073-A.  Oral hygiene education; requirements for relicensing

The board shall by rule require any person licensed or certified under subchapter 3, 3-B, 4 or 6 to provide each year, as a condition of relicensing or recertification, at least 6 hours of free public education on good oral hygiene. The board shall establish specific guidelines for how this requirement may be met, including activities that qualify as public education on good oral hygiene and the types of content that must be provided as part of that public education. Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This bill requires dentists, certain dental assistants, dental hygienists and denturists to provide each year, as a condition of relicensing or recertification, at least 6 hours of free public education on good oral hygiene. The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Dental Examiners is required to adopt rules governing this requirement.