BILL NUMBER: AB 205	CHAPTERED  09/06/05

	CHAPTER  182
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 6, 2005
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 6, 2005
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 22, 2005
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 18, 2005
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 12, 2005
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 4, 2005

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ruskin
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Koretz and Vargas)

                        JANUARY 31, 2005

   An act to amend Section 1706 of the Business and Professions Code,
relating to dentistry.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 205, Ruskin  Denture identification.
   Existing law, the Dental Practice Act, regulates the practice of
dentistry by the Dental Board of California in the Department of
Consumer Affairs. Under existing law, a complete upper or lower
denture fabricated by a licensed dentist, or fabricated pursuant to
the dentist's work order, is required to be marked with the patient's
name or social security number, unless the patient objects.
   This bill would instead require that the dentures be marked with
the patient's name unless the patient objects. The bill would also
require the dentist to inform the patient that the markings are to be
used for identification only and that the patient has the option
whether the dentures are marked.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 1706 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
   1706.  (a) Every complete upper or lower denture fabricated by a
licensed dentist, or fabricated pursuant to the dentist's work order,
shall be marked with the patient's name, unless the patient objects.
The initials of the patient may be shown alone, if use of the name
of the patient is not practical. The markings shall be done during
fabrication and shall be permanent, legible, and cosmetically
acceptable. The exact location of the markings and the methods used
to implant or apply them shall be determined by the dentist or dental
laboratory fabricating the denture.
   (b) The dentist shall inform the patient that the markings are to
be used for identification only and that the patient shall have the
option to decide whether or not the dentures shall be marked.
   (c) The dentist shall retain the records of those marked dentures
and shall not release the records to any person except to enforcement
officers, in the event of an emergency requiring personal
identification by means of dental records, or to anyone authorized by
the patient.