SPONSOR: Busick
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on General Laws by a vote of 13 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Legislative Oversight by a vote of 9 to 1.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 628.
This bill allows a dentist to prescribe and administer a vaccine for diseases related to the care of dentistry, as long as the dentist has established a patient relationship. A dentist may also administer a vaccine when deployed to provide care during an emergency. A dentist must have completed a training course before administering any vaccines. Prior to administering a vaccine, the dentist must review the patient's vaccination history in the ShowMeVax System. The dentist must then enter the administration of the vaccine into the ShowMeVax system or provide a written report to the patient's primary health care provider. The dentist may not administer a vaccine to a child under seven years old or under the minimum age required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that dentists are a highly trained and skilled professionals who should be able to administer vaccines if necessary. Many individuals have a dentist that they will see and trust, but not a physician, and this bill allows dentists to vaccinate only current patients. Ultimately, this bill helps more individuals receive vaccines.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Busick; Arnie Dienoff; Ellen Wentz; Alan O. Freeman, Affinia Healthcare; Dwight E. McLeod, A.T. Still University - Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that it steps outside the scope of dentistry. There are many components of vaccination that involve whole patient care, which dentists are not trained to perform.
Testifying against the bill were the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, and the Missouri State Medical Association.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say this bill needs more strict requirements for dentists to be able to vaccinate instead of its broad language now.
Testifying on the bill were Missouri Dental Association, and Russell B. Melchert.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: