ARC 5193C

ARC 5193C

DENTAL BOARD[650]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to continuing education credit for volunteer dental services and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Dental Board hereby proposes to amend Chapter 25, "Continuing Education," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 147.76.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 272C and sections 147.10, 153.15A and 153.39.

Purpose and Summary

The proposed amendments would allow continuing education credit for the purposes of license renewal for the delivery of volunteer dental services without compensation at free clinics. Current rules prohibit the designation of continuing education hours for the purposes of license renewal to individuals who volunteer their services.

Fiscal Impact

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

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

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—7.4(17A,147,153).

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m.on October 16, 2020. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b," an oral presentation regarding this rule making may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

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).

The following rule-making actions are proposed:

Item 1. Amend subrule 25.5(2) as follows:

25.5(2) Types of activities acceptable for continuing dental education credit may include:

a. A dental science course that includes topics which address the clinical practice of dentistry, dental hygiene, dental assisting and dental public health.

b. Courses in record keeping, medical conditions which may have an effect on oral health, ergonomics related to clinical practice, HIPAA, risk management, sexual boundaries, communication with patients, OSHA regulations, and the discontinuation of practice related to the transition of patient care and patient records.

c. Sessions attended at a multiday convention-type meeting. A multiday convention-type meeting is held at a national, state, or regional level and involves a variety of concurrent educational experiences directly related to the practice of dentistry.

d. Postgraduate study relating to health sciences.

e. Successful completion of a recognized specialty examination or the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination.

f. Self-study activities.

g. Original presentation of continuing dental education courses.

h. Publication of scientific articles in professional journals related to dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting.

i. Delivery of volunteer dental services without compensation through a free clinic, the purpose of which is the delivery of health care services to low-income or underserved individuals.

Item 2. Amend subrule 25.6(1) as follows:

25.6(1) Unacceptable subject matter and activity types include, but are not limited to, personal development, business aspects of practice, business strategy, financial management, marketing, sales, practice growth, personnel management, insurance, and collective bargaining, and events where volunteer services are provided. While desirable, those subjects and activities are not applicable to dental skills, knowledge, and competence. Therefore, such courses will receive no credit toward renewal. The board may deny credit for any course.

Item 3. Adopt the following new subrule 25.9(8):

25.9(8) Delivery of volunteer dental services in accordance with paragraph 25.5(2)"i" shall result in one hour of continuing education credit for every three hours worked. Dentists and dental hygienists can report a maximum of six hours of credit per biennium of volunteer dental services. Dental assistants can report a maximum of four hours of credit per biennium of volunteer dental services. The volunteer hours must be verified by the free clinic or the organization sponsoring the event where volunteer services are provided.