Analysis

Topic: Dental Continuing Education
Sponsor: Representative A. T. Frank
Committee: Health Policy
Date Introduced: June 20, 2000
Date of Analysis: August 17, 2000

Position: The Department of Consumer & Industry Services does not support the bill.

Description of the Bill:
The bill amends the Public Health Code to require any applicant for a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant to be a graduate of an approved American Dental Association (ADA) education program. The bill also amends Section 16608 by adding an 8th dental speciality - oral and maxillofacial radiology (OMR).

Arguments For:
The ADA has passed guidelines for licensure that are in line with how Michigan and other states license dentists.

For the last specialty added the legislature and the department agreed not to develop an exam but to require national certification. Rules could be developed for this newest specialty allowing an individual to be certified in Michigan based upon obtaining national certification.

The board does not have rules regarding licensure from unapproved programs for Registered Dental Assistants. Rule 338.11235 requires an applicant for RDA to have graduated from an ADA approved program. Many states do not license RDAs and we seldom receive application for license by endorsement because of this.

Arguments Against:
The amendment for dental licensure requires an applicant be a graduate of an approved ADA education program, which will close the door to any foreign-trained applicant. Currently, the Board rules provide for graduates of unapproved education programs and requires that those applicants complete a two-year program in an approved ADA program, and then must take and pass the same examinations required of applicants who graduate from approved ADA programs.

Supporters/Opponents: The Michigan Dental Association supports the bill.

Fiscal Information: None

Economic Impact: None

Administrative Rules Impact: None