This bill amends the composition of the board of dental examiners by requiring that one member be a general dentist, in addition to the existing requirements of having six dentists, two dental hygienists, and one public member. The bill also mandates that radiographic screenings cannot be performed before a clinical examination, and decisions regarding obtaining radiographs or CBCT scans must be based on a patient's medical and dental histories, clinical examination, disease risk assessment, and previously obtained imaging. The language in the law is updated to reflect these changes, with the insertion of "and one dentist member shall be a general dentist" and the deletion of the previous structure that did not specify the general dentist requirement.

Furthermore, the bill allows dentists to treat patients who decline radiographic examinations, provided that the patient signs a waiver of liability. This waiver indicates that the patient waives the right to sue the dentist for any unforeseen injuries resulting from the lack of a radiographic examination. The bill ensures that dentists will not face disciplinary actions from the board for adhering to these new guidelines, which emphasize person-centered care. The effective date for the changes to the board's composition is set for September 1, 2026, while the remainder of the act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 317-A:2, 310:6
As Amended by the Senate: 317-A:2
As Amended by the House: 317-A:2, 317-A:17
SB567 text: 317-A:2, 310:6