What's happening
This bill broadens the definition of dentistry by removing the requirement that care be related to restoring and maintaining dental health.
Why it matters
Expands the range of procedures dentists may perform. by removing the requirement that treatments be directly related to restoring or maintaining dental health, potentially allowing for more cosmetic or elective dental services.
Could increase patient access to a wider variety of dental treatments. from licensed dentists, possibly including services that were previously considered outside the scope of dentistry.
May have implications for regulation and oversight. of the dental profession, as the broader definition could blur boundaries between dentistry and other medical or cosmetic practices, raising questions about standards of care and professional accountability.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Broaden Dentistry Definition
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Update Dentistry Definition
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Joseph Morelle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3551
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 24, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the practice of dentistry
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 6601 of the education law, as amended by chapter 576 of the laws of 2001, is amended to read as follows:
§ 6601. Definition of practice of dentistry. The practice of the profession of dentistry is defined as diagnosing, treating, operating, or prescribing for any disease, pain, injury, deformity, or physical condition of the oral and maxillofacial area [related to restoring and maintaining dental health]. The practice of dentistry includes the prescribing and fabrication of dental prostheses and appliances. The practice of dentistry may include performing physical evaluations in conjunction with the provision of dental treatment.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08707-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the practice of dentistry
Purpose
To eliminate unnecessary language in the definition of dental practice.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill deletes superfluous language that refers to restoring and maintaining dental health.
Section two of this bill provides that this act shall take effect immediately.
Existing law
New bill
Justification
The superfluous language about "restoring and maintaining dental health" is inconsistent with the meaning of the oral and maxillofacial area that dentists treat. In some instances it has been incorrectly interpreted to limit the ability of dentists to perform basic diagnostic testing for patients, to perform treatment in the maxillofacial area, and to hinder logical care for patients. The bill is intended to remove this unnecessarily confusing language and to simplify the basic definition of dental practice in exactly the same way it is simplified for medical and veterinary practice.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the State
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.