GOVERNMENT RELATIONS continued
Ownership Committee is focused on passing regulations for mobile dental units . The draft regulations require these units to obtain permits to operate in Pennsylvania , make referrals to nearby dental facilities , maintain and make accessible patient records and adhere to other protocols .
Several offices within the Department of State are now reviewing the draft regulations before they are published as proposed rulemaking in the Pennsylvania Bulletin . Once published , stakeholders , as well as IRRC and the House Professional Licensure committee , will have the ability to submit comments and recommendations for further revisions . At this time , we are not sure when these regulations will ultimately take effect .
Tooth Whitening Legislation Due to growing concerns about the preponderance of non-dental professionals offering teeth whitening services to the public , the SBOD plans to pursue a legislative initiative that would effectively regulate tooth whitening services as the practice of dentistry , to be administered by dental professionals only .
The SBOD had previously drafted a policy statement that tooth whitening may be performed by a licensed dentist , or other qualified dental staff ( under dentists ’ direct supervision ). Tooth whitening is defined as any means or methods used to whiten or bleach teeth , or the dispensing of a tooth-whitening agent to another person . There is an exemption for those products that consumers can purchase over-the-counter . However , at its September meeting , the SBOD expressed some concern about whether a policy statement would carry enough weight to effectively prohibit non-dental professionals from performing teeth whitening services . The board agreed that it should ask the Department of State ’ s legislative office to draft a legislative proposal instead . PDA has expressed support for the SBOD ’ s policy statement , believing that a dentist should examine anyone wishing to have a tooth whitening procedure prior to the procedure . Our position is that teeth whitening procedures , as well as the dispensing of teeth whitening agents , constitute the practice of dentistry and that only dentists are qualified to diagnose and identify potential risks and ramifications of applying teeth whitening agents on existing dental problems . PDA will now consider the SBOD ’ s proposed legislation that would most likely make it lawful for only dental professionals or other qualified dental staff members ( under dentists ’ direct supervision ) to apply teeth whitening agents , operate teeth whitening kiosks and clinics , or dispense prescription-grade agents .
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