BILL ANALYSIS �
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