HF 2437 (LSB 5983HV (2) 88)

HOUSE FILE 2437

BY  COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 2157)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to requirements for licensees under the purview of the dental board relating to orthodontia services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  153.24  Orthodontia-related services.
   1.  A licensee under the purview of the board who provides treatment for the correction of malpositions of human teeth or the initial use of orthodontic appliances shall not begin orthodontic treatment on a new patient unless one of the following conditions is met:
   a.  The licensee performs an initial in-person examination of the teeth and supporting structures of the new patient prior to beginning orthodontic treatment.
   b.  The new patient provides the licensee with a record of completion within the prior two-year period of an in-person examination of the teeth and supporting structures of the new patient prior to the licensee beginning orthodontic treatment.
   2.  The in-person examination required pursuant to subsection 1 shall include any appropriate conventional or digital radiographs that are necessary to develop a suitable orthodontic diagnosis and treatment plan. 
   3.  For the purposes of this section, “new patient” means a person whom a licensee has not examined, for whom a licensee has not provided care, or for whom a licensee has not otherwise provided consultation during the two-year period immediately prior to the patient’s most recent appointment.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill prohibits a licensee under the purview of the dental board who provides treatment for the correction of malpositions of human teeth or the initial use of orthodontic appliances from beginning orthodontic treatment on a new patient unless either the licensee performs an initial in-person examination of the teeth and supporting structures of the new patient prior to beginning orthodontic treatment, or the new patient provides the licensee with a record of completion within the prior two-year period of an in-person examination of the teeth and supporting structures of the new patient prior to the licensee beginning orthodontic treatment. The required in-person examination shall include any appropriate conventional or digital radiographs that are necessary to develop a suitable orthodontic diagnosis and treatment plan. The bill defines “new patient” as a person whom a licensee has not examined, for whom a licensee has not provided care, or for whom a licensee has not otherwise provided consultation during the two-year period immediately prior to the patient’s most recent appointment.