Senate Bill No. 669, introduced by Gillespie and Roe, amends various sections of the Oklahoma Dental Act to modernize and clarify regulations related to dentistry. Key updates include expanding eligibility for dental licenses by credentials, modifying qualifications for dental assistant permits, and creating an oral maxillofacial expanded duty permit for dental assistants. The bill also introduces a research faculty permit, adds dental hygiene students to intern provisions, and revises license renewal and reinstatement requirements. Notably, it removes certain conditions for the use of trade names and updates penalties for dental assistants, while also defining new terms such as "dental appliance" and "teledentistry."

Additionally, the bill establishes standing committees within the Board of Dentistry, including a Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee and an Allied Dental Education Committee, to address issues affecting dental practice and education. It clarifies supervision requirements for dental assistants, modifies grounds for license denial based on criminal background checks, and mandates that all applicants undergo a national criminal background check. The bill also emphasizes the importance of maintaining patient records and requires that advertisements for dental services include the names and license types of the treating dentists. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance the regulatory framework for dental professionals in Oklahoma, ensuring public safety and adherence to professional standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 59-328.3, 59-328.19, 59-328.21, 59-328.23a, 59-328.24, 59-328.29a, 59-328.31b, 59-328.32, 59-328.41, 59-328.44a
House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill: 59-328.3, 59-328.19, 59-328.21, 59-328.24, 59-328.29a, 59-328.31b, 59-328.32, 59-328.41, 59-328.44a
Floor (House): 59-328.3, 59-328.19, 59-328.21, 59-328.24, 59-328.29a, 59-328.31b, 59-328.32, 59-328.41, 59-328.44a
Floor (Senate): 59-328.3, 59-328.19, 59-328.21, 59-328.23a, 59-328.24, 59-328.29a, 59-328.31b, 59-328.32, 59-328.41, 59-328.44a
Engrossed: 59-328.3, 59-328.19, 59-328.21, 59-328.23a, 59-328.24, 59-328.29a, 59-328.31b, 59-328.32, 59-328.41, 59-328.44a
Amended And Engrossed: 59-328.3, 59-328.19, 59-328.21, 59-328.24, 59-328.29a, 59-328.31b, 59-328.32, 59-328.41, 59-328.44a, 59-328.23a
Enrolled (final version): 59-328.3, 59-328.19, 59-328.21, 59-328.24, 59-328.29a, 59-328.31b, 59-328.32, 59-328.41, 59-328.44a
Sub Committee OR Policy Committee Recommendations (House) Policy Committee Recommendation: 59-328.3, 59-328.19, 59-328.21, 59-328.24, 59-328.29a, 59-328.31b, 59-328.32, 59-328.41, 59-328.44a