Pennsylvania SB 842: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.216, No.76), known as The Dental Law, further providing for definitions, for general powers of the State Board of Dentistry, for penalties and for restricted faculty license.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 914
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 842
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BROWN, ARGALL, FONTANA, FARRY AND VOGEL,
JUNE 6, 2025
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
JUNE 6, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.216, No.76), entitled "An
act relating to dentistry; defining and providing for the
licensing and registration of dentists and dental hygienists,
and for the revocation and suspension of such licenses and
registrations, subject to appeal, and for their
reinstatement; defining the powers and duties of the State
Dental Council and Examining Board and the Department of
Public Instruction; providing penalties; and repealing
existing laws," further providing for definitions, for
general powers of the State Board of Dentistry, for penalties
and for restricted faculty license.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definitions of "practice of dentistry" and
"restricted faculty license" in section 2 of the act of May 1,
1933 (P.L.216, No.76), known as The Dental Law, are amended to
read:
Section 2. Definitions.--A person engages in the "Practice
of Dentistry," within the meaning of this act, who diagnoses,
treats, operates on, or prescribes for any disease, pain or
injury, or regulates any deformity or physical condition, of the
human teeth, jaws, or associated structures, or conducts a
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physical evaluation, or administers anesthetic agents, or uses
ionizing radiation in the course of dental practice, or who
fits, constructs, and inserts any artificial appliance, plate,
or denture for the human teeth or jaws, or who holds himself or
herself out as being able or legally authorized to do so. The
term "Practice of Dentistry" includes the practice of dentistry
under a restricted faculty license. The term "Practice of
Dentistry" does not include:
(a) The practice of any of the healing arts by duly licensed
practitioners.
(b) The extracting of teeth or relieving pain by a licensed
physician or surgeon in emergencies, or the making of
applications for such purposes.
(c) The practice of dentistry by a duly licensed
practitioner of dentistry of any other state or country, for the
limited purpose of consultation with respect to any case under
treatment in this Commonwealth, or of demonstrating before any
duly authorized dental society in this Commonwealth.
(e) The practice of dentistry in clinical departments and
laboratories of dental schools and their affiliated facilities
approved by the board in the Commonwealth, by bona fide students
pursuing a course of study leading to the degree of Doctor of
Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine.
(f) The practice of dentistry in a dental clinic operated
not for profit for the duration of an internship, residency or
other graduate training program approved by the American Dental
Association Commission on Dental Accreditation or a dental
anesthesiology training program that meets the standards of an
accrediting body acceptable to the board, by persons having
acquired the preliminary and professional education required for
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admission into the program, after notification to the board.
(g) The practice of dentistry in a clinical continuing
education course offered by a dental school in this Commonwealth
for a duration of [twenty days or less] one year, either
continuous or in several sessions, where dentists licensed in
the United States or other countries work under the direct
supervision of dentists licensed by the Commonwealth, and
delivered within the educational facilities of a dental school
in this Commonwealth that is approved by the American Dental
Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.
* * *
"Restricted Faculty License" means a license granted to an
individual for the limited purpose of teaching, including
clinical teaching, in [a dental school or] any of the following:
(1) A clinical facility owned and operated by a dental
school or affiliated academic health care center when the
clinical facility or affiliated academic health care center is
not operated for the profit of the dental school or any
affiliated third party.
(2) An advanced dental education program as a faculty member
at an accredited dental school in this Commonwealth.
* * *
Section 2. Sections 3(c), (d) and (d.1)(1) introductory
paragraph, 10(g.1) and 11.11(a) introductory paragraph and (3)
and (b) of the act are amended to read:
Section 3. General Powers of the State Board of Dentistry.--
The State Board of Dentistry (hereinafter called the board)
shall have the following powers and duties:
* * *
(c) To provide for and to regulate the licensing, and to
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license to practice dentistry, after examination, any du