BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 562 Page 1 SENATE THIRD READING SB 562 (Galgiani) As Amended June 18, 2013 Majority vote SENATE VOTE :32-0 BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 13-0 APPROPRIATIONS 17-0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Gordon, Jones, Bocanegra, |Ayes:|Gatto, Harkey, Bigelow, | | |Campos, Dickinson, | |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian | | |Bonilla, Hagman, Holden, | |Calderon, Campos, | | |Maienschein, Mullin, | |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, | | |Skinner, Ting, Wilk | |Hall, Holden, Linder, | | | | |Pan, Quirk, Wagner, Weber | |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------| | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY : Establishes a framework for "portable dental units" to be regulated by the Dental Board of California (DBC) and deletes restrictions limiting dentists to operating only one mobile dental clinic. Specifically, this bill : 1)Requires a portable dental unit to be registered and operated in accordance with regulations to be established by DBC, and prohibits the regulations from preventing or lessening competition in service areas. 2)Deletes the restriction on a licensed dentist operating only one mobile dental clinic or unit registered as a dental office or facility. 3)Permits the regulations to include, but not be limited to, requirements for availability of follow-up and emergency care, maintenance and availability of provider and patient records, and treatment information to be provided to patients and other appropriate parties. 4)Exempts portable dental units from requirements related to additional offices, clinics operated by federal entities, federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal organizations, intermittent clinics, and mobile service units, as specified. SB 562 Page 2 5) Defines the following terms: a) "Mobile dental unit" means a self-contained facility in which dentistry will be practiced that may be moved, towed, or transported from one location to another; and, b) "Portable dental unit" means dental equipment housed in a self-contained unit used for providing dental treatment which is routinely transported to, and used on a temporary basis at, a non-dental office location. 6)Makes other technical or clarifying changes. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, one-time costs of less than $150,000 to the Dentistry Fund for DBC to update regulations. COMMENTS : 1)Purpose of this bill . This bill updates current law to provide for the regulation of portable dental units, which are collapsible, suitcase-sized dental practice sites. This bill is sponsored by the California Dental Association. 2)Nontraditional dental practice settings . California regulates the practice of dentistry in many settings beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar office: a) Mobile service unit . A mobile service unit is basically a primary clinic on wheels, typically in a specialized commercial coach. These units are approved by the Department of Public Health and may provide dental services, in addition to other procedures, but are not regulated by DBC. b) Mobile dental clinic . A mobile dental clinic, or mobile dental unit, is a commercial coach, trailer, van, or other self-contained unit that may appear similar to a mobile service unit, but only provides dental services. A mobile dental clinic is regulated by DBC, and may be operated by a dentist after receiving a permit from DBC and proving that the unit complies with existing health and safety SB 562 Page 3 regulations. c) Portable dental unit . A portable dental unit consists of portable dental chair and suitcase-like container housing a collection of dental tools which may be set up to enable a dental professional to perform dental services at various field sites. This bill allows DBC to regulate these units in the same manner as mobile dental clinics. 3)Operation of multiple mobile and portable dental units . This bill also deletes the restriction on dentists operating only one mobile dental unit at a time. This restriction is no longer relevant, as dentists are permitted to have multiple traditional dental offices, and a dentist is required to register each mobile unit with the board and follow all relevant laws and regulations. According to the sponsor, "Lifting the numerical restriction will encourage access to care by allowing dentists to cover multiple sites with multiple mobile and/or portable units, either themselves or through general supervision of dental hygienists." Analysis Prepared by : Sarah Huchel / B.,P. & C.P. / (916) 319-3301 FN: 0001568