The act makes changes to the "Dental Practice Act" (act) by:
Continuing the act for 9 years, until 2034;
Updating and adding definitions;
Changing the membership of the Colorado dental board (board);
Adding to and updating the grounds for which the board may take disciplinary action against an applicant for licensure or a licensee;
Allowing a licensee's submission to a mental or physical examination to satisfy the requirement to notify the board of a condition that may impair the licensee's ability to practice;
Adding as exemptions to the act the volunteer practice of dental therapy and dental hygiene under specific conditions;
Subjecting dentistry practiced by a professional service corporation to certain limits and requirements;
Repealing exceptions that allow a dental therapist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant to perform certain dentistry practices and including additional tasks in the practice of dentistry;
Clarifying that a dental assistant, dental hygienist, or dental therapist may perform tasks consistent with rules adopted by the board;
Requiring a provider who performs itinerant surgery to develop and maintain protocols for emergency follow-up care;
Clarifying the authority of a licensed dentist to prescribe orders electronically;
Requiring a peer health assistance program selected as a designated provider for the dentist peer health assistance program to provide training to dentists who practice monitoring services;
Authorizing a dentist to self-refer to participate in a peer health assistance program or be referred by the board;
Removing a requirement that dental therapy education schools and programs must be accredited or approved by a specific entity;
Requiring the board to adopt rules that allow for expedited, temporary licensure during a declared disaster emergency;
Regulating anesthesia inspectors and requiring the board to design and implement expedited permitting of dentists with certain anesthesia or sedation training;
Updating the business information a licensee must provide to the board and the circumstances under which providing the information is required;
Repealing specific tasks that are currently authorized to be performed by a dental hygienist;
Updating procedures for the construction of dental devices by an unlicensed technician;
Updating the list of practices that are considered to be the practice of unsupervised dental hygiene;
Repealing the specific dosages of certain drugs that a dental hygienist may prescribe;
Authorizing the board to adopt rules that identify safe prescribing alternatives to silver diamine fluoride as a treatment for strengthening teeth and preventing tooth decay;
Identifying tasks that constitute practicing supervised dental hygiene;
Requiring a dental hygienist performing an interim therapeutic restoration to confirm a referral for follow-up care with a dentist;
Limiting the number of dental hygienists or dental therapists that a dentist may supervise; and
Authorizing a dental therapist to perform specific tasks.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)