What's happening
This bill updates the legal definition of dentistry by removing language limiting it to restoring and maintaining dental health.
Why it matters
Broadens the scope of dental practice. By removing the phrase “related to restoring and maintaining dental health,” the new definition allows dentists to address a wider range of conditions in the oral and maxillofacial area, beyond just restoration and maintenance.
Potentially expands treatment options. Dentists could have more flexibility to perform procedures or provide treatments that might not strictly fall under the traditional idea of “dental health,” such as cosmetic or preventive interventions.
Impacts legal and professional boundaries. This change may affect how dentistry overlaps with other medical fields, possibly leading to shifts in regulatory oversight or the need for updated professional guidelines.
Could influence insurance coverage and patient care. With a broader definition, there may be changes in what dental procedures are eligible for insurance reimbursement, and patients might have access to a wider variety of treatments within dental offices.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Update Dentistry Definition
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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 Law
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Peter Abbate
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2824
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GOUNARDES -- 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.
LBD08991-01-9
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 imme- diately.
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 unneces- sarily confusing language and to simplify the basic definition of dental practice in exactly the same way it is simplified for medical and veter- inary practice.
Legislative history
2017-8: S.3551 - Referred to Higher Education
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.