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        
           
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          |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
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          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
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               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 


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