This bill proposes significant amendments to the North Dakota Century Code regarding the licensing and regulation of dental hygienists and dentists, as well as the introduction of a new volunteer license for dental hygiene practitioners. Key changes include the establishment of definitions for "dental anesthesia assistant" and "qualified dental assistant limited radiology registrant," which clarify the roles of these positions. The application process for dental hygienist licensing is modified to allow greater flexibility in application verification and fee establishment by the board. Additionally, the bill expands the scope of practice for dental hygienists, strengthens grounds for disciplinary actions, and introduces a continuing education audit for dental assistants, requiring them to maintain records for three years.

Further amendments address the renewal processes for dental licenses, extending the renewal application deadline from sixty days to one year and allowing for extensions in cases of hardship. New grounds for disciplinary action against dentists are introduced, including inadequate documentation and failure to report unethical behavior. The bill also enhances disciplinary procedures, allowing the board to impose investigation fees and temporarily suspend licenses when public safety is at risk. Overall, the bill aims to improve the regulatory framework governing dental practice in North Dakota, ensuring public safety and professional accountability.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 43-20-01.1, 43-20-01.2, 43-20-01.3, 43-20-01.4, 43-20-03, 43-20-05, 43-20-12, 43-20-12.3, 43-20-13, 43-20-13.1, 43-20-13.2, 43-28-02, 43-28-03, 43-28-04, 43-28-05, 43-28-06, 43-28-08, 43-28-11, 43-28-13, 43-28-15, 43-28-16.2, 43-28-18, 43-28-18.1, 43-28-18.2, 43-28-18.3
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Cleary: 43-20-01.1, 43-20-01.2, 43-20-01.3, 43-20-01.4, 43-20-03, 43-20-05, 43-20-12, 43-20-12.3, 43-20-13, 43-20-13.1, 43-20-13.2, 43-28-02, 43-28-03, 43-28-04, 43-28-05, 43-28-06, 43-28-08, 43-28-11, 43-28-13, 43-28-15, 43-28-16.2, 43-28-18, 43-28-18.1, 43-28-18.2, 43-28-18.3
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 43-20-01.1, 43-20-01.2, 43-20-01.3, 43-20-01.4, 43-20-03, 43-20-05, 43-20-12, 43-20-12.3, 43-20-13, 43-20-13.1, 43-20-13.2, 43-28-02, 43-28-03, 43-28-04, 43-28-05, 43-28-06, 43-28-08, 43-28-11, 43-28-13, 43-28-15, 43-28-16.2, 43-28-18, 43-28-18.1, 43-28-18.2, 43-28-18.3
Enrollment: 43-20-01.1, 43-20-01.2, 43-20-01.3, 43-20-01.4, 43-20-03, 43-20-05, 43-20-12, 43-20-12.3, 43-20-13, 43-20-13.1, 43-20-13.2, 43-28-02, 43-28-03, 43-28-04, 43-28-05, 43-28-06, 43-28-08, 43-28-11, 43-28-13, 43-28-15, 43-28-16.2, 43-28-18, 43-28-18.1, 43-28-18.2, 43-28-18.3