DENTISTRY BOARD MEMBERSHIP - S.B. 1119: FIRST ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 1119 (as passed by the Senate)
Sponsor: Senator Thaddeus G. McCotter
Committee: Health Policy
Date Completed: 7-15-02
RATIONALE
Part 166 of the Public Health Code provides for the licensure and regulation of dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, and prescribes the membership and duties of the Michigan Board of Dentistry. The Board must consist of 10 dentists (including two who have a health professional specialty certificate); four dental hygienists; two dental assistants; and three public members. Part 166 specifies that not more than one member of the Board may be a dental school faculty member. It has been pointed out that this provision does not actually require that one of the Board members be on the faculty of a dental school, or that the faculty member be a dentist. Some people believe that the Board should have one dentist who is a dental school faculty member.
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to specify that of the 19-member Michigan Board of Dentistry, one member would have to be a dentist who was a dental school faculty member.
MCL 333.16621
ARGUMENTS
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
The Michigan Board of Dentistry comprises a combination of professionals representing dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and members of the public, with dentists filling the majority of positions on the Board. Currently, although the Board is allowed to include one member who is on the faculty of a dental school, there is no requirement that the Board include such a member. Since dental schools are responsible for training new members of the dental profession, the bill would ensure that dental schools would be represented on the Board by a faculty member who was a dentist.
- Legislative Analyst: George Towne
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
- Fiscal Analyst: Maria TyszkiewiczA0102\s1119a
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.