ARC 3961C

ARC 3961C

DENTAL BOARD[650]

Adopted and Filed

Rule making related to licensure of foreign-trained dentists

The Dental Board hereby amends Chapter 11, "Licensure to Practice Dentistry or Dental Hygiene," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is adopted under the authority provided in Iowa Code sections 147.76 and 153.33.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code sections 147.2, 147.33 and 153.21.

Purpose and Summary

The amendments to rule 650—11.4(153) implement a clearer pathway for foreign-trained dentists to obtain licensure in Iowa. Historically, the Board has approved a number of rule waivers allowing foreign-trained dentists to obtain licensure in Iowa if they completed a minimum of one year in a general practice residency at an ADA-accredited dental school in lieu of the education currently required by rule. The amendments to rule 650—11.4(153) reflect the circumstances under which the Board has historically approved rule waivers. The amendments also update the references to successful completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and remove the reference to the Test of Spoken English (TSE) since this examination is no longer offered.

Public Comment and Changes to Rule Making

Notice of Intended Action for this rule making was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on March 28, 2018, as ARC 3705C. A public hearing was held on April 24, 2018, at 2 p.m.in the Board Office, Suite D, 400 S.W. Eighth Street, Des Moines, Iowa. No one attended the public hearing. No public comments were received. One change has been made since publication of the Notice to add a citation to Iowa Code chapter 147 in the implementation sentence of rule 650—11.4(153).

Adoption of Rule Making

This rule making was adopted by the Board on June 8, 2018.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

More practitioners may qualify for licensure under this amendment, as opposed to the more limited program and requirements currently established.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Board for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 650—Chapter 7.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

Effective Date

This rule making will become effective on September 19, 2018.

The following rule-making action is adopted:

Amend rule 650—11.4(153) as follows:

650—11.4(153) Graduates of foreign dental schools. In addition to meeting the other requirements for licensure specified in rule 650—11.2(147,153) or 650—11.3(153), an applicant for dental licensure who did not graduate with a DDS or DMD from an accredited dental college approved by the board must provide satisfactory evidence of meeting the following requirements.

11.4(1) The applicant must complete a full-time , undergraduate supplemental dental education program of at least two academic years at an accredited dental college. The undergraduate supplemental dental education program must provide didactic and clinical education to the level of a DDS or DMD graduate of the dental college. The program must consist of either:

a. An undergraduate supplemental dental education program of at least two academic years. The undergraduate supplemental dental education program must provide didactic and clinical education to the level of a DDS or DMD graduate of the accredited dental college; or

b. A postgraduate general practice residency program of at least one academic year.

11.4(2) The applicant must receive a dental diploma, degree or certificate from the accredited dental college upon successful completion of the program.

11.4(3) The applicant must present to the board the following documents:

a. An official transcript issued by the accredited dental college that verifies completion of all coursework requirements of the undergraduate supplemental dental education program; Satisfactory evidence of completion of board-approved dental education at an accredited dental college;

b. A dental diploma, degree or certificate issued by the accredited dental college or a certified copy thereof;

c. A letter addressed to the board from the dean of the accredited dental college verifying that the applicant has successfully completed the requirements set forth in 11.4(1);

d. b.A final, official transcript verifying graduation from the foreign dental school at which the applicant originally obtained a dental degree. If the transcript is written in a language other than English, an original, official translation shall also be submitted; and

e. c.Verification from the appropriate governmental authority that the applicant was licensed or otherwise authorized by law to practice dentistry in the country in which the applicant received foreign dental school training and that no adverse action was taken against the license.

11.4(4) The applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board an ability to read, write, speak, understand, and be understood in the English language. The applicant may demonstrate English proficiency by submitting to the board proof evidence of a passing score on one of the following examinations: achieving a score sufficient to be rated in the highest level of ability on each section of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

a. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service. A passing score on TOEFL is a minimum overall score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or a minimum overall score of 213 on the computer-administered TOEFL.

b. Test of Spoken English (TSE) administered by the Educational Testing Service. A passing score on TSE is a minimum of 50.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code chapter chapters 147 and 153.

[Filed 7/17/18, effective 9/19/18]

[Published 8/15/18]

Editor's Note: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 8/15/18.