Chapter 53 Oregon Laws 2011

AN ACT

HB 2145

Relating to denture technology; amending ORS 680.500, 680.510 and 680.515.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 680.500 is amended to read:

680.500. As used in ORS 680.500 to 680.565[, unless the context requires otherwise]:

[(1) “Board” means the policy-making body known as the State Board of Denture Technology, established within the Oregon Health Licensing Agency.]

[(2)] (1) “Denture” means any removable full [and/or] or partial upper or lower prosthetic dental appliance to be worn in the human mouth to replace any missing natural teeth.

[(3)] (2) “Denturist” means a person licensed under ORS 680.500 to 680.565 to engage in the practice of denture technology and who is authorized within [their] the person’s scope of practice to provide to the public full or partial upper or lower dentures or other removable nonorthodontic dental appliances intended to be worn in the human mouth.

[(4)] (3) “Practice of denture technology” means:

(a) Constructing, repairing, relining, reproducing, duplicating, supplying, fitting or altering [any] a denture or other removable nonorthodontic dental appliance intended to be worn in the human mouth in respect of which a service is performed under paragraph (b) of this subsection; and

(b) The following services when performed for a purpose listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection:

[(b)] (A) The taking of impressions[,];

(B) The taking of bite registrations[,];

(C) Try-ins[,] of dentures or other removable nonorthodontic dental appliances intended to be worn in the human mouth; and

(D) Insertions of [or in any part of the human oral cavity for any of the purposes listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection] dentures or other removable nonorthodontic dental appliances intended to be worn in the human mouth.

SECTION 2. ORS 680.515 is amended to read:

680.515. (1) Subject to the provisions of ORS 676.612, upon application accompanied by payment of required fees, the Oregon Health Licensing Agency shall issue a license to practice denture technology to any applicant who submits proof satisfactory to the agency that the applicant has completed all requirements for licensure, which include, but are not limited to:

(a) Providing to the agency official transcripts verifying completion of an associate degree program in denture technology, or the equivalent in formal, post-secondary education, approved by the agency in consultation with the Oregon Student Assistance Commission and the Department of Education. The educational program shall include pertinent courses in anatomy, including histology, microbiology, physiology, pharmacology, pathology emphasizing periodontology, dental materials, medical emergencies, geriatrics, professional ethics, clinical denture technology and denture laboratory technology;

(b) Providing to the agency documentation of 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in denture technology, completed while enrolled in or after having completed a course of study offered in a post-secondary educational institution, or through equivalent supervised experience, as determined by the agency in consultation with the Oregon Student Assistance Commission and the Department of Education; and

(c) Passing a written and a practical examination prescribed, recognized or approved by the State Board of Denture Technology. An applicant who fails the practical examination must complete additional hours of clinical and laboratory training in an approved work experience program, as determined by the board, to qualify for reexamination.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(a) of this section, the board may accept educational training obtained in any other state or country if, upon review of satisfactory evidence, the agency determines that the educational program in the other state or country meets the educational standards prescribed under this section.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(c) of this section, the agency may adopt rules providing for waiver of the practical examination requirement.

(4) The agency may adopt rules allowing for issuance of a temporary license to practice denture technology.

SECTION 3. ORS 680.510 is amended to read:

680.510. The prohibitions of ORS 680.500 to 680.565 do not apply to:

(1) Any activity described in ORS 680.500 [(4)(a)] (3)(a) by a person acting under the supervision of a denturist.

(2) The practice of dentistry or medicine by persons authorized to do so by this state, or any other practices allowed under ORS chapters 677 and 679.

(3) A student of denture technology in pursuit of clinical studies under an approved school program, or a person having met the formal educational requirements, who is operating, for no more than two years, under the direct supervision of a denturist or a licensed dentist in pursuit of practical clinical experience as required for licensure by ORS 680.515.

Approved by the Governor May 16, 2011

Filed in the office of Secretary of State May 17, 2011

Effective date January 1, 2012

__________