Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of dentists and dental hygienists in this State by the Board of Dental Examiners of Nevada. (Chapter 631 of NRS) Section 1 of this bill enacts the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which allows a person who is licensed as a dentist or a dental hygienist in a state that is participating in the Compact to practice in other states that are participating in the Compact. In order to practice as a dentist or dental hygienist under the Compact, the Compact requires a person to: (1) hold an unencumbered license in a state that is participating in the Compact; (2) meet any requirement in the state in which he or she seeks to practice under the Compact to pass an assessment of his or her knowledge of the applicable laws and rules of that state; (3) submit to an application process and pay any applicable fees; (4) have passed certain examinations; (5) have graduated from certain programs for the education of dentists or dental hygienists; (6) have completed a clinical assessment for licensure; (7) report any adverse action taken against him or her within 30 days after the date the adverse action is taken; (8) function within the scope of practice authorized by each state in which he or she seeks to practice; and (9) meet certain other requirements for eligibility. The Compact authorizes a participating state to take adverse action against a dentist or dental hygienist who is practicing in the participating state under the Compact. The Compact requires participating states to create a joint government agency called the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Commission. The Compact sets forth the powers of the Commission which include, among other powers, the power to adopt rules and bylaws and to hold meetings, which may be closed under certain circumstances. The Compact additionally authorizes the Commission to levy and collect an annual assessment from participating states and impose fees upon persons seeking to practice under the Compact to cover the cost of its operations. The Compact requires the Commission to create a data system to facilitate the sharing of information among participating states. Section 2 of this bill, in general, authorizes the Board of Dental Examiners of Nevada to disclose information to that data system when required by the Compact. Section 4 of this bill provides for the confidentiality of certain information disclosed through the data system. The Compact provides additional provisions to carry out the Compact, including providing procedures for the taking of adverse actions against licensees, provisions for rulemaking by the Commission, provisions for oversight, dispute resolution and enforcement and procedures for amendments and withdrawals. Section 3 of this bill deems practicing as a dentist or dental hygienist under the Compact to be equivalent to practicing under a license issued by the Board, thereby providing such persons with the same authority, duties and legal protections as a licensee.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 631.368, 239.010
BDR: 631.368, 239.010