Bill Text: MI SB0541 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Health occupations; health professionals; licensing and regulation of dental therapists; provide for. Amends secs. 16221, 16226, 16323, 16601, 16605, 16621 & 16626 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16221 et seq.) & adds secs. 16651, 16652, 16653, 16654, 16655, 16656, 16657, 16658, 16659, 16660 & 20189.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-12-28 - Assigned Pa 0463'18 With Immediate Effect [SB0541 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2017-SB0541-Engrossed.html

SB-0541, As Passed Senate, October 11, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE BILL No. 541

 

 

September 7, 2017, Introduced by Senators SHIRKEY, HERTEL, MARLEAU, BOOHER and WARREN and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.

 

 

      A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled

 

"Public health code,"

 

by amending sections 16221, 16226, 16323, 16601, 16605, 16621, and

 

16626 (MCL 333.16221, 333.16226, 333.16323, 333.16601, 333.16605,

 

333.16621, and 333.16626), section 16221 as amended by 2017 PA 75,

 

section 16226 as amended by 2017 PA 81, section 16323 as amended by

 

2014 PA 305, section 16605 as added by 2006 PA 429, section 16621

 

as amended by 2002 PA 590, and section 16626 as added by 2012 PA

 

289, and by adding sections 16651, 16652, 16653, 16654, 16655,

 

16656, 16657, 16658, 16659, 16660, and 20189.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

 1        Sec. 16221. The department shall investigate any allegation

 

 2  that 1 or more of the grounds for disciplinary subcommittee action

 

 3  under this section exist, and may investigate activities related to

 

 4  the practice of a health profession by a licensee, a registrant, or


 1  an applicant for licensure or registration. The department may hold

 

 2  hearings, administer oaths, and order the taking of relevant

 

 3  testimony. After its investigation, the department shall provide a

 

 4  copy of the administrative complaint to the appropriate

 

 5  disciplinary subcommittee. The disciplinary subcommittee shall

 

 6  proceed under section 16226 if it finds that 1 or more of the

 

 7  following grounds exist:

 

 8        (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this section,

 

 9  a violation of general duty, consisting of negligence or failure to

 

10  exercise due care, including negligent delegation to or supervision

 

11  of employees or other individuals, whether or not injury results,

 

12  or any conduct, practice, or condition that impairs, or may impair,

 

13  the ability to safely and skillfully engage in the practice of the

 

14  health profession.

 

15        (b) Personal disqualifications, consisting of 1 or more of the

 

16  following:

 

17        (i) Incompetence.

 

18        (ii) Subject to sections 16165 to 16170a, substance use

 

19  disorder as defined in section 100d of the mental health code, 1974

 

20  PA 258, MCL 330.1100d.

 

21        (iii) Mental or physical inability reasonably related to and

 

22  adversely affecting the licensee's or registrant's ability to

 

23  practice in a safe and competent manner.

 

24        (iv) Declaration of mental incompetence by a court of

 

25  competent jurisdiction.

 

26        (v) Conviction of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for

 

27  a maximum term of 2 years; conviction of a misdemeanor involving


 1  the illegal delivery, possession, or use of a controlled substance;

 

 2  or conviction of any felony other than a felony listed or described

 

 3  in another subparagraph of this subdivision. A certified copy of

 

 4  the court record is conclusive evidence of the conviction.

 

 5        (vi) Lack of good moral character.

 

 6        (vii) Conviction of a criminal offense under section 520e or

 

 7  520g of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.520e and

 

 8  750.520g. A certified copy of the court record is conclusive

 

 9  evidence of the conviction.

 

10        (viii) Conviction of a violation of section 492a of the

 

11  Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.492a. A certified copy of

 

12  the court record is conclusive evidence of the conviction.

 

13        (ix) Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony involving fraud in

 

14  obtaining or attempting to obtain fees related to the practice of a

 

15  health profession. A certified copy of the court record is

 

16  conclusive evidence of the conviction.

 

17        (x) Final adverse administrative action by a licensure,

 

18  registration, disciplinary, or certification board involving the

 

19  holder of, or an applicant for, a license or registration regulated

 

20  by another state or a territory of the United States, by the United

 

21  States military, by the federal government, or by another country.

 

22  A certified copy of the record of the board is conclusive evidence

 

23  of the final action.

 

24        (xi) Conviction of a misdemeanor that is reasonably related to

 

25  or that adversely affects the licensee's or registrant's ability to

 

26  practice in a safe and competent manner. A certified copy of the

 

27  court record is conclusive evidence of the conviction.


 1        (xii) Conviction of a violation of section 430 of the Michigan

 

 2  penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.430. A certified copy of the court

 

 3  record is conclusive evidence of the conviction.

 

 4        (xiii) Conviction of a criminal offense under section 83, 84,

 

 5  316, 317, 321, 520b, 520c, 520d, or 520f of the Michigan penal

 

 6  code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.83, 750.84, 750.316, 750.317, 750.321,

 

 7  750.520b, 750.520c, 750.520d, and 750.520f. A certified copy of the

 

 8  court record is conclusive evidence of the conviction.

 

 9        (xiv) Conviction of a violation of section 136 or 136a of the

 

10  Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.136 and 750.136a. A

 

11  certified copy of the court record is conclusive evidence of the

 

12  conviction.

 

13        (c) Prohibited acts, consisting of 1 or more of the following:

 

14        (i) Fraud or deceit in obtaining or renewing a license or

 

15  registration.

 

16        (ii) Permitting a license or registration to be used by an

 

17  unauthorized person.

 

18        (iii) Practice outside the scope of a license.

 

19        (iv) Obtaining, possessing, or attempting to obtain or possess

 

20  a controlled substance as defined in section 7104 or a drug as

 

21  defined in section 7105 without lawful authority; or selling,

 

22  prescribing, giving away, or administering drugs for other than

 

23  lawful diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

 

24        (d) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this section,

 

25  unethical business practices, consisting of 1 or more of the

 

26  following:

 

27        (i) False or misleading advertising.


 1        (ii) Dividing fees for referral of patients or accepting

 

 2  kickbacks on medical or surgical services, appliances, or

 

 3  medications purchased by or in behalf of patients.

 

 4        (iii) Fraud or deceit in obtaining or attempting to obtain

 

 5  third party reimbursement.

 

 6        (e) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this section,

 

 7  unprofessional conduct, consisting of 1 or more of the following:

 

 8        (i) Misrepresentation to a consumer or patient or in obtaining

 

 9  or attempting to obtain third party reimbursement in the course of

 

10  professional practice.

 

11        (ii) Betrayal of a professional confidence.

 

12        (iii) Promotion for personal gain of an unnecessary drug,

 

13  device, treatment, procedure, or service.

 

14        (iv) Either of the following:

 

15        (A) A requirement by a licensee other than a physician or a

 

16  registrant that an individual purchase or secure a drug, device,

 

17  treatment, procedure, or service from another person, place,

 

18  facility, or business in which the licensee or registrant has a

 

19  financial interest.

 

20        (B) A referral by a physician for a designated health service

 

21  that violates 42 USC 1395nn or a regulation promulgated under that

 

22  section. For purposes of this subdivision, 42 USC 1395nn and the

 

23  regulations promulgated under that section as they exist on June 3,

 

24  2002 are incorporated by reference. A disciplinary subcommittee

 

25  shall apply 42 USC 1395nn and the regulations promulgated under

 

26  that section regardless of the source of payment for the designated

 

27  health service referred and rendered. If 42 USC 1395nn or a


 1  regulation promulgated under that section is revised after June 3,

 

 2  2002, the department shall officially take notice of the revision.

 

 3  Within 30 days after taking notice of the revision, the department

 

 4  shall decide whether or not the revision pertains to referral by

 

 5  physicians for designated health services and continues to protect

 

 6  the public from inappropriate referrals by physicians. If the

 

 7  department decides that the revision does both of those things, the

 

 8  department may promulgate rules to incorporate the revision by

 

 9  reference. If the department does promulgate rules to incorporate

 

10  the revision by reference, the department shall not make any

 

11  changes to the revision. As used in this sub-subparagraph,

 

12  "designated health service" means that term as defined in 42 USC

 

13  1395nn and the regulations promulgated under that section and

 

14  "physician" means that term as defined in sections 17001 and 17501.

 

15        (v) For a physician who makes referrals under 42 USC 1395nn or

 

16  a regulation promulgated under that section, refusing to accept a

 

17  reasonable proportion of patients eligible for Medicaid and

 

18  refusing to accept payment from Medicaid or Medicare as payment in

 

19  full for a treatment, procedure, or service for which the physician

 

20  refers the individual and in which the physician has a financial

 

21  interest. A physician who owns all or part of a facility in which

 

22  he or she provides surgical services is not subject to this

 

23  subparagraph if a referred surgical procedure he or she performs in

 

24  the facility is not reimbursed at a minimum of the appropriate

 

25  Medicaid or Medicare outpatient fee schedule, including the

 

26  combined technical and professional components.

 

27        (vi) Any conduct by a health professional with a patient while


 1  he or she is acting within the health profession for which he or

 

 2  she is licensed or registered, including conduct initiated by a

 

 3  patient or to which the patient consents, that is sexual or may

 

 4  reasonably be interpreted as sexual, including, but not limited to,

 

 5  sexual intercourse, kissing in a sexual manner, or touching of a

 

 6  body part for any purpose other than appropriate examination,

 

 7  treatment, or comfort.

 

 8        (vii) Offering to provide practice-related services, such as

 

 9  drugs, in exchange for sexual favors.

 

10        (viii) A violation of section 16656(4) by a dental therapist.

 

11        (f) Failure to notify under section 16222(3) or (4).

 

12        (g) Failure to report a change of name or mailing address as

 

13  required in section 16192.

 

14        (h) A violation, or aiding or abetting in a violation, of this

 

15  article or of a rule promulgated under this article.

 

16        (i) Failure to comply with a subpoena issued pursuant to this

 

17  part, failure to respond to a complaint issued under this article,

 

18  article 7, or article 8, failure to appear at a compliance

 

19  conference or an administrative hearing, or failure to report under

 

20  section 16222(1) or 16223.

 

21        (j) Failure to pay an installment of an assessment levied

 

22  under the insurance code of 1956, 1956 PA 218, MCL 500.100 to

 

23  500.8302, within 60 days after notice by the appropriate board.

 

24        (k) A violation of section 17013 or 17513.

 

25        (l) Failure to meet 1 or more of the requirements for

 

26  licensure or registration under section 16174.

 

27        (m) A violation of section 17015, 17015a, 17017, 17515, or


 1  17517.

 

 2        (n) A violation of section 17016 or 17516.

 

 3        (o) Failure to comply with section 9206(3).

 

 4        (p) A violation of section 5654 or 5655.

 

 5        (q) A violation of section 16274.

 

 6        (r) A violation of section 17020 or 17520.

 

 7        (s) A violation of the medical records access act, 2004 PA 47,

 

 8  MCL 333.26261 to 333.26271.

 

 9        (t) A violation of section 17764(2).

 

10        (u) Failure to comply with the terms of a practice agreement

 

11  described in section 17047(2)(a) or (b), 17547(2)(a) or (b), or

 

12  18047(2)(a) or (b).

 

13        Sec. 16226. (1) After finding the existence of 1 or more of

 

14  the grounds for disciplinary subcommittee action listed in section

 

15  16221, a disciplinary subcommittee shall impose 1 or more of the

 

16  following sanctions for each violation:

 

 

17

 Violations of Section 16221

            Sanctions

18

 Subdivision (a), (b)(i),

Probation, limitation, denial,

19

 (b)(ii), (b)(iii), (b)(iv),

suspension, revocation,

20

 (b)(v), (b)(vi), (b)(vii),

permanent revocation,

21

 (b)(ix), (b)(x), (b)(xi),

restitution, or fine.

22

 or (b)(xii)

23

24

 Subdivision (b)(viii)

Revocation, permanent revocation,

25

or denial.

26

27

 Subdivision (b)(xiii)

Permanent revocation


 1

for a violation described in

 2

subsection (5); otherwise,

 3

probation, limitation, denial,

 4

suspension, revocation,

 5

restitution, or fine.

 6

 7

 Subdivision (b)(xiv)

Permanent revocation.

 8

 9

 Subdivision (c)(i)

Denial, revocation, suspension,

10

probation, limitation, or fine.

11

12

 Subdivision (c)(ii)

Denial, suspension, revocation,

13

restitution, or fine.

14

15

 Subdivision (c)(iii)

Probation, denial, suspension,

16

revocation, restitution, or fine.

17

18

 Subdivision (c)(iv)

Fine, probation, denial,

19

 or (d)(iii)

suspension, revocation, permanent

20

revocation, or restitution.

21

22

 Subdivision (d)(i)

Reprimand, fine, probation,

23

 or (d)(ii)

denial, or restitution.

24

25

 Subdivision (e)(i),

Reprimand, fine, probation,

26

 (e)(iii), (e)(iv), (e)(v),

limitation, suspension,


 1

 (h), or (s)

revocation, permanent revocation,

 2

denial, or restitution.

 3

 4

 Subdivision (e)(ii)

Reprimand, probation, suspension,

 5

 or (i)

revocation, permanent

 6

revocation, restitution,

 7

denial, or fine.

 8

 9

 Subdivision (e)(vi),

Probation, suspension, revocation,

10

 or (e)(vii), or (e)(viii)

limitation, denial,

11

restitution, or fine.

12

13

 Subdivision (f)

Reprimand, denial, limitation,

14

probation, or fine.

15

16

 Subdivision (g)

Reprimand or fine.

17

18

 Subdivision (j)

Suspension or fine.

19

20

 Subdivision (k), (p),

Reprimand, probation, suspension,

21

 or (r)

revocation, permanent revocation,

22

or fine.

23

24

 Subdivision (l)

Reprimand, denial, or

25

limitation.

26


 1

 Subdivision (m) or (o)

Denial, revocation, restitution,

 2

probation, suspension,

 3

limitation, reprimand, or fine.

 4

 5

 Subdivision (n)

Revocation or denial.

 6

 7

 Subdivision (q)

Revocation.

 8

 9

 Subdivision (t)

Revocation, permanent revocation,

10

fine, or restitution.

11

12

 Subdivision (u)

Denial, revocation, probation,

13

suspension, limitation, reprimand,

14

or fine.

 

 

15        (2) Determination of sanctions for violations under this

 

16  section shall be made by a disciplinary subcommittee. If, during

 

17  judicial review, the court of appeals determines that a final

 

18  decision or order of a disciplinary subcommittee prejudices

 

19  substantial rights of the petitioner for 1 or more of the grounds

 

20  listed in section 106 of the administrative procedures act of 1969,

 

21  1969 PA 306, MCL 24.306, and holds that the final decision or order

 

22  is unlawful and is to be set aside, the court shall state on the

 

23  record the reasons for the holding and may remand the case to the

 

24  disciplinary subcommittee for further consideration.

 

25        (3) A disciplinary subcommittee may impose a fine in an amount

 

26  that does not exceed $250,000.00 for a violation of section

 

27  16221(a) or (b). A disciplinary subcommittee shall impose a fine of


 1  at least $25,000.00 if the violation of section 16221(a) or (b)

 

 2  results in the death of 1 or more patients.

 

 3        (4) A disciplinary subcommittee may require a licensee or

 

 4  registrant or an applicant for licensure or registration who has

 

 5  violated this article, article 7, or article 8 or a rule

 

 6  promulgated under this article, article 7, or article 8 to

 

 7  satisfactorily complete an educational program, a training program,

 

 8  or a treatment program, a mental, physical, or professional

 

 9  competence examination, or a combination of those programs and

 

10  examinations.

 

11        (5) A disciplinary subcommittee shall impose the sanction of

 

12  permanent revocation for a violation of section 16221(b)(xiii) if

 

13  the violation occurred while the licensee or registrant was acting

 

14  within the health profession for which he or she was licensed or

 

15  registered.

 

16        (6) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5) and this

 

17  subsection, a disciplinary subcommittee shall not impose the

 

18  sanction of permanent revocation under this section without a

 

19  finding that the licensee or registrant engaged in a pattern of

 

20  intentional acts of fraud or deceit resulting in personal financial

 

21  gain to the licensee or registrant and harm to the health of

 

22  patients under the licensee's or registrant's care. This subsection

 

23  does not apply if a disciplinary subcommittee finds that a licensee

 

24  or registrant has violated section 16221(b)(xiv).

 

25        Sec. 16323. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection

 

26  (2), fees for an individual licensed or seeking licensure to

 

27  practice as a dentist, dental assistant, or dental hygienist, or


 1  dental therapist under part 166 are as follows:

 

 

 2

(a)

Application processing fees:

 3

(i)

Dentist.................................  $ 20.00

 4

(ii)

Dental assistant........................    10.00

 5

(iii)

Dental hygienist........................    15.00

 6

 

(iv)

Dental therapist........................    15.00

 7

(v)(iv)

Health profession specialty field

 8

license for a dentist...................    20.00

 9

(b)

Examination fees:

10

(i)

Dental assistant's examination,

11

complete................................    70.00

12

(ii)

Dental assistant's examination,

13

per part................................    35.00

14

 

(iii)

Dental therapist........................   300.00

15

(iv)(iii)

Dentist's health profession specialty

16

field license examination, complete.....   300.00

17

(v)(iv)

Dentist's health profession specialty

18

field license examination, per part.....   100.00

19

(c)

License fees, per year:

20

(i)

Dentist.................................    90.00

21

(ii)

Dental assistant........................    10.00

22

(iii)

Dental hygienist........................    20.00

23

 

(iv)

Dental therapist........................    40.00

24

(v)(iv)

Dentist's health profession specialty

25

field license...........................    15.00

26

(d)

Temporary license fees:

27

(i)

Dentist.................................    20.00


 1

(ii)

Dental assistant........................     5.00

 2

(iii)

Dental hygienist........................    10.00

 3

 

(iv)

Dental therapist........................    15.00

 4

(e)

Limited license fee, per year:

 5

(i)

Dentist.................................    25.00

 6

(ii)

Dental assistant........................     5.00

 7

(iii)

Dental hygienist........................    10.00

 8

 

(iv)

Dental therapist........................    15.00

 9

(f)

Examination review fees:

10

(i)

Dental preclinical or dentist's health

11

profession specialty field license......    50.00

12

(ii)

Dental assistant........................    20.00

13

 

(iii)

Dental therapist........................    50.00

 

 

14        (2) The department shall waive the application processing and

 

15  license fees required under subsection (1) for an initial license

 

16  to engage in practice as a dental assistant if the applicant for

 

17  initial licensure, while on active duty as a member of the armed

 

18  forces, served as a military dental specialist and was separated

 

19  from service with an honorable character of service or under

 

20  honorable conditions (general) character of service in the armed

 

21  forces. The applicant shall provide a form DD214, DD215, or any

 

22  other form that is satisfactory to the department to be eligible

 

23  for the waiver of fees under this subsection. As used in this

 

24  subsection, "armed forces" means that term as defined in section 2

 

25  of the veteran right to employment services act, 1994 PA 39, MCL

 

26  35.1092.the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or

 

27  Coast Guard or other military force designated by Congress as a


 1  part of the Armed Forces of the United States.

 

 2        Sec. 16601. (1) As used in this part:

 

 3        (a) "Assignment" means that a dentist has designated a patient

 

 4  of record upon on whom services are to be performed and has

 

 5  described the procedures to be performed. The dentist need not be

 

 6  physically present in the office or in the treatment room at the

 

 7  time the procedures are being performed.

 

 8        (b) "Dental laboratory" means a dental workroom that is

 

 9  operated as a part of a dental office or otherwise, by a person,

 

10  other than a dentist, who is engaged in, or holds himself, herself,

 

11  or itself out as being directly or indirectly engaged in,

 

12  constructing, repairing, or altering prosthetic dentures, bridges,

 

13  orthodontic or other appliances, or structures to be used as

 

14  substitutes for or as a part of human teeth or jaws or associated

 

15  structures, or for the correction of malocclusions or deformities.

 

16        (c) "Dentist" means an individual who is licensed under this

 

17  article to engage in the practice of dentistry.

 

18        (d) "Practice of dentistry" means the diagnosis, treatment,

 

19  prescription, or operation for a disease, pain, deformity,

 

20  deficiency, injury, or physical condition of the human tooth,

 

21  teeth, alveolar process, gums or jaws, or their dependent tissues,

 

22  or an offer, undertaking, attempt to do, or holding oneself out as

 

23  able to do any of these acts.

 

24        (e) "Practice as a dental assistant" means assistance in the

 

25  clinical practice of dentistry based on formal education,

 

26  specialized knowledge, and skill at the assignment and under the

 

27  supervision of a dentist.


 1        (f) "Practice as a dental hygienist" means practice at the

 

 2  assignment of a dentist in that specific area of dentistry based on

 

 3  specialized knowledge, formal education, and skill with particular

 

 4  emphasis on preventive services and oral health education.

 

 5        (g) "Practice as a dental therapist" means providing any of

 

 6  the care and services, and performing any of the duties, described

 

 7  in section 16657.

 

 8        (2) In addition, article 1 contains general definitions and

 

 9  principles of construction applicable to all articles in this code

 

10  and part 161 contains definitions applicable to this part.

 

11        Sec. 16605. The following words, titles, or letters, or a

 

12  combination thereof, of any of those words, titles, or letters,

 

13  with or without qualifying words or phrases, are restricted in use

 

14  only to those persons individuals who are authorized under this

 

15  part to use the following terms and in a way prescribed in this

 

16  part: "dentist", "doctor of dental surgery", "oral and

 

17  maxillofacial surgeon", "orthodontist", "prosthodontist",

 

18  "periodontist", "endodontist", "oral pathologist", "pediatric

 

19  dentist", "dental hygienist", "registered dental hygienist",

 

20  "dental assistant", "registered dental assistant", "dental

 

21  therapist", "r.d.a.", "d.d.s.", "d.m.d.", and "r.d.h.", and "d.t.".

 

22        Sec. 16621. (1) The Michigan board of dentistry is created in

 

23  the department. Subject to subsection (2), the board consists of

 

24  the following 19 voting members, who each of whom must meet the

 

25  requirements of part 161:

 

26        (a) Eight dentists. Subject to subsection (3), (4), 1 or more

 

27  of the dentists appointed under this subdivision may have a health


 1  profession specialty certification issued under section 16608.

 

 2        (b) Subject to subsection (3), (4), 2 dentists who have been

 

 3  issued a health profession specialty certification under section

 

 4  16608.

 

 5        (c) Four dental hygienists.

 

 6        (d) Two dental assistants.

 

 7        (e) Three public members.

 

 8        (2) A dentist, dental hygienist, public member, or other

 

 9  individual who is a member of the board on July 14, 2000 may serve

 

10  out his or her term.Beginning 5 years after the effective date of

 

11  the 2017 amendatory act that amended this subsection, the board

 

12  must include 2 dental therapists, bringing the total number of

 

13  voting members on the board to 21. The dental therapists appointed

 

14  under this subsection must each meet the requirements of part 161.

 

15        (3) The board meeting dates and times shall must be concurred

 

16  in by a vote of not less than 13 board members.

 

17        (4) One member of the board shall be a dentist who is a dental

 

18  school faculty member.

 

19        (5) (4) A board member who is licensed to practice as a dental

 

20  hygienist, or a dental assistant, or a dental therapist votes as an

 

21  equal member of the board in all matters except those designated in

 

22  section 16148(1) or (2) that apply only to dentists and not to

 

23  dental hygienists, or dental assistants, or dental therapists.

 

24        Sec. 16626. (1) Subject to subsection (2), and notwithstanding

 

25  section 16601(1)(f) or the rules promulgated under section

 

26  16625(1), a dental hygienist or dental therapist may utilize a

 

27  dental assistant to act as his or her second pair of hands.


 1        (2) Notwithstanding section 16601(1)(e) or the rules

 

 2  promulgated under section 16625(1), a dental assistant may function

 

 3  as a second pair of hands for a dentist, or dental hygienist, or

 

 4  dental therapist if all of the following are met:

 

 5        (a) The dentist, or dental hygienist, or dental therapist is

 

 6  actively performing services in the mouth of a patient at the time

 

 7  the dental assistant is assisting him or her.

 

 8        (b) If the dental assistant is assisting a dental hygienist, a

 

 9  supervising dentist has assigned the dental assistant to act as the

 

10  dental hygienist's second pair of hands.

 

11        (3) This section does not require new or additional third

 

12  party reimbursement or mandated worker's compensation benefits for

 

13  services rendered by an individual who is licensed as a dental

 

14  assistant, or as a dental hygienist, or dental therapist under this

 

15  article.

 

16        (4) As used in this section, "second pair of hands" means that

 

17  term as defined in R 338.11101 of the Michigan administrative

 

18  code.Administrative Code.

 

19        Sec. 16651. (1) An individual who is granted a license under

 

20  this part as a dental therapist may engage in practice as a dental

 

21  therapist to the extent permitted under this section and sections

 

22  16652 to 16659.

 

23        (2) To qualify for licensure under this part as a dental

 

24  therapist, an individual shall apply to the department on forms

 

25  provided by the department, pay the application fee under section

 

26  16323, and demonstrate to the department that he or she meets all

 

27  of the following:


 1        (a) Has graduated from a dental therapy education program that

 

 2  satisfies all of the following:

 

 3        (i) Meets the standards established under section 16148 for

 

 4  accreditation of a degree-granting program in dental therapy

 

 5  education at an approved postsecondary education institution.

 

 6        (ii) As determined by the department in consultation with the

 

 7  board, meets the accreditation standards for dental therapy

 

 8  education programs established by the Commission on Dental

 

 9  Accreditation.

 

10        (iii) Is accredited under section 16148.

 

11        (iv) Meets any other requirements for dental therapy education

 

12  programs adopted by the board.

 

13        (b) Has passed a comprehensive, competency-based clinical

 

14  examination approved by the department that includes an examination

 

15  of the applicant's knowledge of the laws of this state under this

 

16  part and rules promulgated under this part.

 

17        (c) Has completed 500 hours of supervised clinical practice

 

18  under the direct supervision of a dentist and in conformity with

 

19  rules adopted by the board. An individual engaged in completing his

 

20  or her supervised clinical practice under this subdivision is

 

21  eligible for a temporary license as a dental therapist under

 

22  section 16652. As used in this subdivision, "direct supervision"

 

23  means that a dentist complies with all of the following:

 

24        (i) Designates a patient of record upon whom the procedures

 

25  are to be performed and describes the procedures to be performed.

 

26        (ii) Examines the patient before prescribing the procedures to

 

27  be performed and upon completion of the procedures.


 1        (iii) Is physically present in the office at the time the

 

 2  procedures are being performed.

 

 3        Sec. 16652. The board shall grant a temporary dental therapist

 

 4  license to an applicant for licensure under sections 16651 to 16659

 

 5  who has met the requirements of section 16651(2)(a) to (c) and

 

 6  rules promulgated by the board and who has paid the fee described

 

 7  in section 16323.

 

 8        Sec. 16653. (1) The board shall grant a license to practice as

 

 9  a dental therapist to an applicant for licensure under sections

 

10  16651 to 16659 who meets the requirements of sections 16651 to

 

11  16659 and rules adopted under those sections for licensure and pays

 

12  the application fee under section 16323.

 

13        (2) A dental therapist shall pay to the board the license fee

 

14  under section 16323.

 

15        Sec. 16654. As a condition of renewal of a license to practice

 

16  under sections 16651 to 16659, a dental therapist shall submit

 

17  evidence of successful completion of 35 hours of continuing

 

18  education in the 2 years before renewal. Continuing education under

 

19  this section must conform with the requirements of part 161

 

20  concerning continuing education courses and must include board-

 

21  approved courses, including, but not limited to, a course in

 

22  cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The board may refuse renewal to an

 

23  applicant who has not satisfied the requirements of this section or

 

24  may renew a license on terms and conditions established by the

 

25  board.

 

26        Sec. 16655. After completing the 500 hours of supervised

 

27  clinical practice required under section 16651(2)(c), a dental


 1  therapist may provide services described in section 16657 included

 

 2  within the scope of practice as a dental therapist and under the

 

 3  supervision of a dentist in any of the following health settings:

 

 4        (a) A hospital that is licensed under article 17.

 

 5        (b) A health facility or agency, other than a hospital, that

 

 6  is licensed under article 17 and is reimbursed as a federally

 

 7  qualified health center as defined in 42 USC 1395x(aa)(4) or that

 

 8  has been determined by the United States Department of Health and

 

 9  Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to meet

 

10  the requirements for funding under section 330 of the public health

 

11  service act, 42 USC 254b.

 

12        (c) A federally qualified health center, as defined in 42 USC

 

13  1395x(aa)(4), that is licensed as a health facility or agency under

 

14  article 17.

 

15        (d) An outpatient health program or facility operated by a

 

16  tribe or tribal organization under the Indian self-determination

 

17  act, 25 USC 5321 to 5332, or by an urban Indian organization

 

18  receiving funds under title V of the Indian health care improvement

 

19  act, 25 USC 1651 to 1660h.

 

20        (e) A health setting in a geographic area that is designated

 

21  as a dental shortage area by the United States Department of Health

 

22  and Human Services.

 

23        (f) A school-based health center, as that term is defined in

 

24  42 USC 280h-5.

 

25        (g) Any other clinic or practice setting, including a mobile

 

26  dental unit, in which at least 50% of the total patient base of the

 

27  dental therapist will consist of patients who meet any of the


 1  following:

 

 2        (i) Are enrolled in a health care program administered by the

 

 3  department of health and human services.

 

 4        (ii) Have a medical disability or chronic condition that

 

 5  creates a significant barrier to receiving dental care.

 

 6        (iii) Do not have dental health coverage, either through a

 

 7  public health care program or private insurance, and have an annual

 

 8  gross family income equal to or less than 200% of the federal

 

 9  poverty level. As used in this subparagraph and subparagraph (iv),

 

10  "federal poverty level" means the poverty guidelines published

 

11  annually in the federal register by the United States Department of

 

12  Health and Human Services under its authority to revise the poverty

 

13  line under 42 USC 9902.

 

14        (iv) Do not have dental health coverage, either through a

 

15  state public health care program or private insurance, and whose

 

16  family gross income is equal to or less than 200% of the federal

 

17  poverty level.

 

18        Sec. 16656. (1) A dental therapist may practice only under the

 

19  supervision of a dentist and through a written practice agreement

 

20  signed by the dental therapist and the dentist. A dental therapist

 

21  may provide only the services that are within his or her scope of

 

22  practice, are authorized by a supervising dentist, and are provided

 

23  according to written protocols or standing orders established by

 

24  the supervising dentist.

 

25        (2) A dental therapist may provide services to a patient who

 

26  has not first seen a dentist for an examination if the supervising

 

27  dentist has given the dental therapist written authorization and


 1  standing protocols for the services and reviews the patient records

 

 2  as provided in the written practice agreement. The standing

 

 3  protocols may require the supervising dentist to personally examine

 

 4  patients either face-to-face or by the use of electronic means.

 

 5        (3) A written practice agreement between a supervising dentist

 

 6  and a dental therapist must include all of the following elements:

 

 7        (a) The services and procedures and the practice settings for

 

 8  those services and procedures that the dental therapist may

 

 9  provide, together with any limitations on those services and

 

10  procedures.

 

11        (b) Any age-specific and procedure-specific practice

 

12  protocols, including case selection criteria, assessment

 

13  guidelines, and imaging frequency.

 

14        (c) Procedures to be used with patients treated by the dental

 

15  therapist for obtaining informed consent and for creating and

 

16  maintaining dental records.

 

17        (d) A plan for review of patient records by the supervising

 

18  dentist and the dental therapist.

 

19        (e) A plan for managing medical emergencies in each practice

 

20  setting in which the dental therapist provides care.

 

21        (f) A quality assurance plan for monitoring care, including

 

22  patient care review, referral follow-up, and a quality assurance

 

23  chart review.

 

24        (g) Protocols for administering and dispensing medications,

 

25  including the specific circumstances under which medications may be

 

26  administered and dispensed.

 

27        (h) Criteria for providing care to patients with specific


 1  medical conditions or complex medical histories, including

 

 2  requirements for consultation before initiating care.

 

 3        (i) Specific written protocols, including a plan for providing

 

 4  clinical resources and referrals, governing situations in which the

 

 5  patient requires treatment that exceeds the dental therapist's

 

 6  capabilities or the scope of practice as a dental therapist.

 

 7        (4) A dental therapist who provides services or procedures

 

 8  beyond those authorized in the written practice agreement engages

 

 9  in unprofessional conduct for the purposes of section 16221.

 

10        (5) A supervising dentist shall not supervise more than 4

 

11  dental therapists.

 

12        (6) A supervising dentist shall actively participate in

 

13  drafting a written practice agreement with a dental therapist.

 

14  Revisions to the written practice agreement must be documented in a

 

15  new written practice agreement signed by the supervising dentist

 

16  and the dental therapist.

 

17        (7) A supervising dentist and a dental therapist who sign a

 

18  written practice agreement shall each file a copy of the agreement

 

19  with the board, keep a copy for the dentist's or dental therapist's

 

20  own records, and make a copy available to patients of the dental

 

21  therapist on request. The board shall make a copy of a written

 

22  practice agreement in the records of the board available to the

 

23  public on request.

 

24        (8) As used in this section and sections 16657 and 16658,

 

25  "written practice agreement" means a document that is signed by a

 

26  dentist and a dental therapist and that, in conformity with the

 

27  legal scope of practice as a dental therapist, outlines the


 1  functions that the dental therapist is authorized to perform.

 

 2        Sec. 16657. (1) Under the supervision of a dentist, a licensed

 

 3  dental therapist may provide any of the following care or services:

 

 4        (a) Identifying oral and systemic conditions that require

 

 5  evaluation or treatment by dentists, physicians, or other health

 

 6  care professionals and managing referrals.

 

 7        (b) Comprehensive charting of the oral cavity.

 

 8        (c) Providing oral health instruction and disease prevention

 

 9  education, including nutritional counseling and dietary analysis.

 

10        (d) Administering and exposing radiographic images.

 

11        (e) Dental prophylaxis including subgingival scaling or

 

12  polishing procedures.

 

13        (f) Dispensing and administering via the oral or topical route

 

14  nonnarcotic analgesics and anti-inflammatory and antibiotic

 

15  medications as prescribed by a health care professional.

 

16        (g) Applying topical preventative or prophylactic agents,

 

17  including fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride and other

 

18  fluoride treatments, antimicrobial agents, and pit and fissure

 

19  sealants.

 

20        (h) Pulp vitality testing.

 

21        (i) Applying desensitizing medication or resin.

 

22        (j) Fabricating athletic mouth guards.

 

23        (k) Changing periodontal dressings.

 

24        (l) Administering local anesthetic and nitrous oxide

 

25  analgesia.

 

26        (m) Simple extraction of erupted primary teeth.

 

27        (n) Emergency palliative treatment of dental pain related to a


 1  care or service described in this subsection.

 

 2        (o) Preparation and placement of direct restoration in primary

 

 3  and permanent teeth.

 

 4        (p) Fabrication and placement of single-tooth temporary

 

 5  crowns.

 

 6        (q) Preparation and placement of preformed crowns on primary

 

 7  teeth.

 

 8        (r) Indirect and direct pulp capping on permanent teeth.

 

 9        (s) Indirect pulp capping on primary teeth.

 

10        (t) Suturing and suture removal.

 

11        (u) Minor adjustments and repairs on removable prostheses.

 

12        (v) Placement and removal of space maintainers.

 

13        (w) Nonsurgical extractions of periodontally diseased

 

14  permanent teeth with tooth mobility +3. However, a dental therapist

 

15  shall not extract a tooth for any patient if the tooth is

 

16  unerupted, impacted, or fractured or needs to be sectioned for

 

17  removal.

 

18        (x) Performing other related services and functions authorized

 

19  by the supervising dentist and for which the dental therapist is

 

20  trained.

 

21        (y) Performing any other duties of a dental therapist that are

 

22  authorized by the board by rule.

 

23        (2) A dental therapist may supervise dental assistants and

 

24  dental hygienists to the extent permitted in a written practice

 

25  agreement. However, a dental therapist shall not supervise more

 

26  than 3 dental assistants and 2 dental hygienists in any 1 practice

 

27  setting.


 1        (3) A dental therapist shall not prescribe a controlled

 

 2  substance that is included in schedules 2 to 5 of part 72.

 

 3        (4) As used in this section and section 16658, "health care

 

 4  professional" means an individual who is authorized to practice a

 

 5  health profession under this article.

 

 6        Sec. 16658. (1) A supervising dentist shall arrange for

 

 7  another dentist or specialist to provide any services needed by a

 

 8  patient of a dental therapist who is supervised by that dentist

 

 9  that are beyond the scope of practice of the dental therapist and

 

10  that the supervising dentist is unable to provide.

 

11        (2) A dental therapist, in accordance with a written practice

 

12  agreement entered into under section 16656, shall refer patients to

 

13  another qualified dental professional or health care professional

 

14  to receive needed services that exceed the scope of practice of the

 

15  dental therapist.

 

16        Sec. 16659. (1) The department or board shall promulgate any

 

17  rules that the department or board considers necessary to implement

 

18  this section and sections 16651 to 16658.

 

19        (2) Within 7 years after the effective date of the amendatory

 

20  act that added this section, the board, in consultation with the

 

21  director of the department of health and human services or his or

 

22  her designees, shall conduct and complete a study concerning the

 

23  impact of licensing dental therapists on patient safety, cost-

 

24  effectiveness, and access to dental services in this state. The

 

25  study shall focus on the following outcome measures:

 

26        (a) Number of new patients served.

 

27        (b) Reduction in waiting time for needed services.


 1        (c) Decreased travel time for patients.

 

 2        (d) Impact on emergency room usage for dental care.

 

 3        (e) Costs to the health care system.

 

 4        (3) Within 30 days after the completion of the study described

 

 5  in subsection (2), the board shall provide to the director of the

 

 6  department, the director of the department of health and human

 

 7  services, and the chairs of the standing committees of the senate

 

 8  and house of representatives responsible for health policy a

 

 9  written report concerning the results of the study.

 

10        Sec. 16660. Sections 16651 to 16659 do not require new or

 

11  additional third party reimbursement or mandated worker's

 

12  compensation benefits for services rendered by an individual who is

 

13  licensed as a dental therapist under this article.

 

14        Sec. 20189. A health facility or agency shall not require a

 

15  dentist to enter into a written practice agreement with a dental

 

16  therapist as a condition of employment. As used in this section,

 

17  "written practice agreement" means that term as defined in section

 

18  16656.

 

19        Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days

 

20  after the date it is enacted into law.

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