Licensure of dental therapists; extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures; providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; providing an exemption from rule-making procedures; and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

Under the bill, the board must grant a dental therapist license to an individual who satisfies certain criteria, including completion of a dental therapy program and passage of required examinations.

Dental therapists may provide dental therapy services only under the general supervision of a dentist with whom the dental therapist has a collaborative management agreement that addresses various aspects of the dental therapist's practice. Supervision by a dentist requires the dentist's prior knowledge and consent, but does not require the presence of the dentist at the time a task or procedure is being performed or prior examination or diagnosis of a patient by a dentist prior to the provision of dental therapy services by a dental therapist. Dental therapists are, subject to the terms of a collaborative management agreement, limited to providing services, treatments, and procedures that are specified in the bill, as well as additional services, treatments, or procedures specified by the board by rule. Dental therapists must complete 12 hours of continuing education each biennium.

The bill subjects dental therapists to, or covers dental therapists under, various other laws, including the health care records law, the volunteer health care provider program, the health care worker protection law, and the emergency volunteer health care practitioner law. The bill also provides for loan forgiveness for dental therapists under the health care provider loan assistance program.

Finally, the bill requires, effective when the first individual becomes licensed as a dental therapist in this state, that two dental therapists be added to the board.